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MAYOR MANDALİNCİ PROMOTES BODRUM AT ISTANBUL TOURISM FAIR

26.09.2025

Bodrum Municipality took centre stage at the Istanbul Tourism Fair (ITF 2025), where Mayor Tamer Mandalinci spoke at the “Muğla Destination Session” alongside fellow mayors from Marmaris and Seydikemer.

The session, hosted by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality at the Yenikapı Eurasia Exhibition and Arts Centre, attracted strong interest from the international tourism sector, with 500 companies from 50 countries and 15,000 professionalsin attendance.

Bodrum’s Share in Turkish Tourism

In his address, Mayor Mandalinci emphasised Bodrum’s pivotal role in Turkish tourism:

“Bodrum accounts for 40 per cent of Muğla’s tourism. While the average spending of foreign visitors in Turkey is around 950 dollars, in Bodrum it reaches 1,400 dollars. This shows not only the town’s popularity but also the value visitors place on the Bodrum experience.”

A Destination for Everyone

Responding to concerns about perceptions of high prices, the Mayor underlined Bodrum’s diversity:

“Bodrum cannot be labelled simply as expensive or cheap. It is a destination that offers choices for all, with options to suit every visitor and every budget. That is why both domestic and international tourists continue to prefer Bodrum.”

Towards Sustainable, Year-Round Tourism

Mandalinci also outlined Bodrum’s strategy for extending the tourism season beyond the summer months:

“Our seas, blue cruises, hotels, festivals and concerts already define Bodrum in summer. But winter has become a time of rising gastronomy tourism. Events such as the Acı Ot Festival, gastronomy workshops, our geographically registered Bodrum mandarin, and the recent promotion of green Bodrum mandarins are all steps in this direction. Cultural and sporting events, as well as major gatherings like the Boat Show and Bodrum Cup, will further enrich the winter calendar. Our aim is to diversify tourism and extend the season to 9–10 months, creating more employment and opportunities for all sectors of the local economy.”

Recognition & Collaboration

During the fair, Mayor Mandalinci also visited the Bodrum stand, established under the leadership of the Bodrum Hoteliers’ Association (BODER), and expressed gratitude to partners supporting the city’s promotion:

“I would like to thank Mr. Ahmet Aras, the Muğla Metropolitan Mayor and BODER Chairman Ömer Faruk Dengiz for their contributions. Their support strengthens Bodrum’s presence at international platforms such as ITF.”

Mayor Mandalinci presented a commemorative plaque to BODER President Dengiz in recognition of the association’s efforts.