Turkey is to host the 2012 ABTA Travel Convention in the all-inclusive resort of Belek, Antalya, from October 10-12.
It will be the first time that the Convention has been hosted in Turkey since 1996 and the only time it has been held in an all-inclusive resort.
Speaking at the closing session of the 2011 Travel Convention in Palma Mallorca, director of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in London Tolga Tuyluoglu said: "I am absolutely delighted that ABTA will be coming to Turkey next year. We are very excited to be hosting such a prestigious event in Belek in Antalya, one of our premier resorts.
"We last hosted the ABTA Travel Convention in Istanbul in 1996. Then we had just over 750,000 arrivals – now it is closer to three million. The UK is such an important market for us and this is a great opportunity for us to show the UK travel trade the new face of Turkish tourism."
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "We are very excited to be able to announce Turkey as the hosts of the 2012 Travel Convention. Turkey has had a meteoric rise in the last few years as a tourist destination of choice for British holidaymakers.
"The resort of Belek offers outstanding, five-star facilities that will provide first rate support for The Convention's programme of business, social and sporting activities. It is the first time that we will host The Convention in an all-inclusive resort, enabling delegates to enjoy The Convention and plan budgets effectively."
By Linsey McNeill
