The Egyptian capital Cairo hosted the “Trabzon Meets Cairo” event from November 4 to 7 to promote the Turkish city of Trabzon and bilateral business meetings in the tourism sector. The event was organized by the Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TTSO) in cooperation with the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) in the Eastern Black Sea region, with support from the Trabzon Governorship, Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality and Trabzon Commodity Exchange.
According to the chamber, 40 tourism agencies and hotel companies from Trabzon took part in the event and met with around 265 Egyptian companies. Nearly 1,000 bilateral business meetings were held during the event. A delegation of 158 people traveled from Trabzon to Cairo to participate in the program.
Turkish officials attend
The opening of the business meetings was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Cairo Saleh Mutlu Şen, Trabzon Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Metin Genç, Trabzon Deputy Governor Ali Yılmaz, TTSO Chairman Erkut Çelebi, Trabzon Commodity Exchange Chairman Eyüp Argan, tourism sector representatives and the mayors of several districts of the city.
Çelebi said it was “the largest B2B event we have organized outside Türkiye in the tourism sector,” adding: “It was truly a historic event. Participants did not leave the hall until late hours; instead, they watched a Trabzonspor match with us.” He thanked the Turkish Embassy in Cairo, the Trabzon Governorship, the metropolitan municipality, the commodity exchange and the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, as well as Trabzonspor Chairman Ertuğrul Doğan.
“A bridge for tourism, trade and investment”
Çelebi said the aim was to make Trabzon “a new bridge for trade, investment and tourism between Egypt and Türkiye.” He highlighted the city’s Lake Uzungöl, Sumela Monastery, mountain pastures, unique nature and rich cuisine. He called for an increase in direct or indirect flights between Egypt and Trabzon, the development of joint tourism programs among agencies, and the hosting of Egyptian tour operators and investors in the city.
The initiative comes amid growing Egyptian interest in Trabzon following Egyptian star Mohamed Salah’s move to Trabzonspor and the launch of direct flights between Cairo and Trabzon. The Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s statement on the event is available here.
The Turkish Embassy in Cairo said the event drew strong interest from Egyptian tourism agencies. Speaking at the opening of the meetings, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Cairo Saleh Mutlu Şen said Egyptian tourists might want to shop in a Muslim country, enjoy a peaceful holiday and experience rainy weather and a moderate climate, adding that “Trabzon has everything needed to meet these expectations.”
Photos: 61saat
