Joining ITB Berlin Travel Trade in partner status this year, Turkey held a joint press meeting at ITB Convention Center with ITB Berlin Fair Management on 9 March.

Turkish minster of Culture and Tourism Ertugrul Günay made a speech in front of nearly 100 press members attending the meeting. Minister Günay underlined the 2010 European Capital of Culture events in Istanbul, adding that tourists to visit Istanbul would further increase this year.

Turkey is the official partner country of the "2010 ITB Berlin" fair that will be held in the German capital on March 10-14. ITB Berlin is an important meeting point for the world tourism sector in which the countries, international organizations and private sector come together.

Exhibits and meetings on subjects as 'developments in world tourism industry', 'the effects of current global issues on tourism', 'technology's contribution to tourism' and 'social responsibility issues' will take place in ITB Berlin. Turkey attends the leading tourism fair with a 3,000 square-meter pavilion, a written statement from ITB said.