The partnership was officially announced at a press event held at Point Hotel Taksim, attended by TÜROB President Müberra Eresin, Dream Project CEO Volkan Ataman, and Jolly (Partner of Dream Project) CEO Mert Vardar.
275 exhibitors, 15,000 industry professionals
In his opening remarks, Dream Project CEO Volkan Ataman said this year’s fair will be held in cooperation with both TÜRSAB and TÜROB. He underlined that ITF has already reached 95% occupancy, with 275 exhibitors and over 15,000 professionals expected to attend.
The fair will host leading tour operators, hotels, airlines, and destinations. International participation is confirmed from France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, Peru, Madagascar, the UAE, Iran, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Kenya, and Hungary, among others.
Hosted buyer program grows to 500
Ataman emphasized that the exhibition is designed with turnkey stand concepts, offering cost advantages and supporting sustainable tourism. He also highlighted an intensive promotional campaign, including mailings, outdoor advertising, airport visibility, and outreach to embassies, consulates, provincial governors, municipalities, and chambers of commerce
The show has expanded by 30% this year, while its hosted buyer program has tripled in size — from 160 last year to 500 participants from 50 countries in 2025.
Other key points from Ataman’s speech included:
• The fair is closed to the public, with a sound restriction in place; stand activities will only be allowed after 4 p.m. to maintain a professional business environment.
• TÜRSAB will bring 250 agencies from 50 countries, in addition to inviting 2,500 of its member agencies.
• The timing of the fair coincides with the contracting season, making it a prime venue for agency-hotel agreements.
• TÜROB’s international network will provide strong support to ITF in the coming years.
Eresin: “ITF will become an important platform for national promotion”
Speaking at the event, TÜROB President Müberra Eresin emphasized the importance of the MICE segment for Türkiye:
“MICE tourism is a high-value-added sector, essential for our country. Tourism directly affects 54 industries and remains one of the most strategic sectors for growth, promotion, employment, and foreign exchange income. TÜROB has contributed to the national economy for 55 years, and we will continue to support every initiative that strengthens our industry.”
Eresin said TÜROB decided to partner with ITF again this year because of the fair’s contribution to Istanbul and its potential to generate new partnerships.
“The fair not only creates opportunities for new business, products, and technologies, but also strengthens international tourism relations. The contacts established here will benefit regional development and global promotion. We believe ITF will help Türkiye build stronger ties with target markets and position our country more competitively on the international tourism stage,” she said, inviting all stakeholders to participate.
TÜROB will support ITF with logistics, accommodation, and promotion. “We are confident that this fair will have a long lifespan and provide great value to the tourism sector,” Eresin concluded.
