Istanbul - Motaz Othman

Fifteen out of the fifty seven members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) took part in the first edition of the Tourism Fair of the Islamic Countries in Istanbul from the 24 to 26^th of November 2005.

The participation of the Islamic republic of Iran was very strong because of the presence of a large delegation directed by the vice-president of the republic, Mr. Esfandayar Mashaei and comprising representatives of the professionals of tourism, travel agencies and hotels They were also accompanied by Mrs. Marjan Sheikholeslami, general director of the Iranian news service, culture and heritage and the Iranian folklore group which presented successful shows.

The Iranian delegation organized a workshop with the participation of many Turkish travel agencies and some of other countries. Mr. Mashaei made an address in which he expressed his satisfaction with regard to the activities of the fair and stressed the importance of the co-operation between Iran and Turkey on tourism, economy and transport levels; more especially as these two countries are the pillars of the OIC, because of their solids economies, the significant number of their populations, their vast territories and their rich tourism heritage.

The participation of Malaysia was also significant. The director of its office in Turkey briefly presented the various tourist products offered by his country and a documentary film presenting the principal tourist attraction of Malaysia. Qatar, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Azerbaijan and Turkey had taken part through vast stands. While those of Jordan, Lebanon and Kyrghistan was small.

Mr. Allal Rashidi, general manager of the Islamic Center for the Development of Trade, an organization related to the OIC, told Islamic Tourism that this is the first edition of the tourist Fair of the Islamic countries, organized with the agreement of the ministers of tourism of the Islamic countries. Previously, there were only fairs for the trade in goods between the members of the OIC. But, currently, there is a great interest in tourism, which plays a major role in the economy of number of Islamic countries. He added his satisfaction with the organizing of this fair, even if the participation were modest; but, ha added, if one started with 15 participants, one expects a greater participation during future editions. He stressed that this fair was parallel with the 21st session of the Commission of the trade co-operation between the Islamic countries, to which took part 32 ministers.

Islamic Tourism magazine aimed in its participation to support the fair. We think, as participants, that the fair could have been better had the organizers invited the professionals of tourism world wide so that they can discover what the Islamic countries can offer to the visitors; whereas one had been satisfied with the presence of some Turkish agencies and local visitors. We believe that it was necessary to organize visits to the prestigious places of interest of Istanbul and that it was necessary to honor the participants in offering dinner party by the Turkish ministry of tourism or the Mayor of the town of Istanbul. In any event, Islamic Tourism magazine will not fail to support the coming editions of this fair.