CATHIC Will Serve as Forum to Discuss Tourism and Hospitality in Turkey

Turkey's hospitality industry leaders will gather here in June for the Turkey and Neighbours Hotel

Investment Conference (CATHIC) to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Turkey's burgeoning tourism and hospitality industries.

CATHIC, to be held June 9-10 at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center, is supported

by the Turkish Tourism Investors Association and represented by Turkish event partner Alkas. It is expected to attract the region's top hotel investors, operators, developers, advisors, architects and government officials.

In a recent interview, Murat Ersoy, president of Atlas Jet and chairman of the Turkish Tourism

Investors Association, said 33.5 million tourists visited Turkey in 2013, which generated revenues of $24.5 billion in U.S. dollars during the first nine months. During the last five years there has been double-digit growth in accommodation services, boosting the hotel industry's profitability and attracting more investors.

"International hotel chains, closely following these developments, have started to bring their brands –

both in the luxury and midpriced segments – by placing Turkey at the forefront of their expansion strategies," he said, adding that there are now 4,067 certified hotels in the country representing 1,059,000 beds. Ersoy will address the future of Turkey's tourism infrastructure at CATHIC.

Dr. Daniel Thorniley, president of DT-Global Business Consulting GmbH, will kick off the conference

with an update of the worldwide investment climate. He will be followed by Cenk Sidar, chief executive officer & president of Sidar Global, who will present the regional perspective.

They will discuss the fundamental strengths underpinning Turkey's continued growth and development

despite recent political issues. "Turkey remains the number-two key strategic investment market in Europe for western investors," Thorniley said. "Government policy is pro-growth," helping to make Turkey "one of the most exciting business opportunities in the world."

Additional confirmed speakers include Mehmet Onkal, managing partner of BDO Hospitality Consulting,

who will present a market analysis of Istanbul, the Turkish Riviera and secondary cities; Omer Isvan, president at Servotel Corporation, and Rui Barros, managing director and senior vice president EMEA of Wyndham Hotel Group, who will discuss strategies for growth and development in Turkey; and Şenay Azak-Matt, general manager Turkey for Aareal Bank Group, who will share insights into debt and equity financing.

Visit www.cathic.com for more details and to register.

About The Bench

The Bench has built a legacy as a global curator of opportunity, designing transformative forums and summits that empower the hospitality and travel industries to connect, innovate, and thrive. With over two decades of expertise, The Bench creates platforms that go beyond transactions to inspire collaboration and drive meaningful change.

Each event brings together government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel associations, leading hospitality brands, hotel owners and investors, airlines, destination developers, and more. From flagship gatherings like FHS World (formerly AHIC) and FHS Saudi Arabia, to the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) and AviaDev, The Bench creates events where ideas spark, relationships deepen, and investments take flight.

The Bench thrives on fostering dynamic and forward-looking dialogues, uniting industry pioneers to address challenges, seize opportunities, and co-create the future. Each event is crafted to deliver more than just connections - it's about transforming ideas into action and building a better tomorrow.

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About FHS Saudi Arabia

Dates: 11-13 May 2025

Location: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Sponsors: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh and Al Khozama Investment as Host Sponsors; Taiba Investments as Founding Partner; Al Rajhi Bank, NEOM, Red Sea Group, Saudi Icon, Saudi Hospitality Company (PIF), Amsa Hospitality, TDF, The Ascott as Strategic Partners; Accor, Rotana, ClubMed, Radisson Hotel Group as Headline Sponsors; Aleph Hospitality, ARC-IDC, Ark People Solutions, AtkinsRealis, Compass Project Consulting, Domus Managed Housing, Golden Tulip MENA / Louvre Hotels Group, IHCL, Knight Frank, Melia Hotels, Minor Hotels, Quo, Rove and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as Sponsors; Shaza Hotels, Time Hotels, Valor Hospitality and WhiteWater as Exhibitors.

Sally Marwaha
Event Manager
The Bench