Bursa hosted 57 sector representatives from 22 countries for 2. Bursa Medical&Thermal Tourism Forum for B2B meetings

Under the auspices of Governorship of Bursa and with the cooperation of Greater Municipality of Bursa, Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO), Bursa Eskişehir Bilecik Development Agency (BEBKA) and Bursa Health Tourism Association (BUSAT), ‘2. Bursa Medical&Thermal Tourism Forum’ was completed on 15-16th March 2016.

For the opening ceremony that took place in Merinos Atatürk Culture and Congress Centre, Arab Tourism Association President Dr Bandar Fahad Al Fehaid, Bursa Governor Münir Karaloğlu, Greater Municipality of Bursa Deputy Mayor Abdülkadir Karlık, BEBKA Secretary General, BTSO Head of Health Commission Dr. Mustafa Esgin, BUSAT Chairman Associate Professor Dr. Sedat Demir, institutions related to health tourism in Bursa and 57 sector representatives from 22 countries participated to the forum.

In the opening ceremony, Bursa Governor said that Bursa is proceeding with strong steps on the way to be a brand city in health tourism in the world. He added that by the opening of İzmit Gulf Bridge in May, the travelling period from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Bursa will be 40 minutes that will provide an easier accession to Bursa.

Arab Tourism Association President Dr Bandar Fahad Al Fehaid underlined that Bursa city had always been in a good position regarding health during all periods of time and added that average daily expenditure of an Arab tourist is 4 500 dollars.

Following the opening speeches Mert Özkök from B2B Encounters took the floor for his presentation with the title ‘Positioning of Bursa as a Health Tourism Destination’ and then International Medical Travel Journal Editor Keith Pollard presented ‘What Makes a Destination Attractive for Health Tourism?’ to the participants.

In the second half of the first day, B2B meetings started in Almira Hotel. By consecutive bilateral meetings, the delegation had an opportunity to meet companies and institutions related to health tourism in Bursa both on the first and the second day of the forum. The visiting delegation also visited a hospital within the coverage of the event.