THE SECOND ROUND OF EIT OPERATORS' FORUM WAS HELD.

The 2nd Tour Operators Forum of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) commenced in Mersin on November 18, 2025, with a team of 50 people, including 30 tour operators and representatives from Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, and Russia. The forum continued in Girne from November 20-22, 2025. Organized in collaboration with the TRNC Deputy Prime Ministry, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency of the Republic of Turkey, and the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the forum began with opening speeches at the Acapulco Hotel on November 20, 2025.

Speaking at the opening, Mine Emiroğlu, Director of the Tourism Promotion and Marketing Department of the TRNC Deputy Prime Ministry, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, emphasized the importance of holding the event in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

“Our common aim and goal is to increase our share in the ecotourism market, especially as Economic Cooperation Organization countries. These meetings are instrumental in achieving these goals,” said Emiroğlu, adding, “As the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, and Director of the Tourism Promotion and Marketing Department, I, Mine Emiroğlu, would like to state that I represent an approach in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus that offers a sustainable tourism model by protecting both the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region through eco and agro tourism.”

Emiroğlu continued her speech as follows:

“This type of tourism aims to contribute to the local economy through environmentally friendly practices, to offer tourists an experience in harmony with nature, and to organize visitor activities that minimize damage to the different characteristics of the host region.

If we were to touch upon the basic characteristics of eco and agro tourism; I would like to state that the island of Cyprus stands out with its natural beauties, rich flora and fauna, characteristic of the Mediterranean climate, and that the Five Finger Mountains, the Karpaz Peninsula, and specially protected nature areas are ideal places for this type of tourism.”

Eco and agro-tourism offer visitors the opportunity to experience the lifestyle of the local people, while preserving and transmitting cultural values ​​through activities such as staying in traditional village houses, learning to prepare Cypriot cuisine, and showcasing local handicrafts. The fertile lands of Cyprus are renowned for their production of olives, grapes, carob, and citrus fruits.

Agro-tourism offers tourists opportunities to participate in the production processes of these products and consume fresh produce directly, revitalizing the local economy in rural areas and enabling small businesses, organic producers, and family businesses to directly benefit from this process. The Karpaz Peninsula is a hub for eco-tourism with its wildlife, pristine beaches, and village life. Local festivals and nature walks also attract tourists. The Lefke region is another attractive destination for agro-tourism with its organic farming activities, citrus orchards, and historical sites. The Girne region and its surroundings stand out with their mountain villages, traditional accommodation options, and opportunities for nature sports. Guests visiting the villages of Akdeniz, Mehmetcik, and Büyükkonuk have the opportunity to experience hospitality, nature, culture, and our cuisine firsthand.
Regarding activities that can be done in eco- and agro-tourism, some of them include: "Nature walks and bicycle tours, traditional cooking workshops and tasting events; olive harvesting, winemaking or beekeeping experiences, visiting historical villages and cultural heritage sites, bird watching and photography."
We would like to emphasize that the potential of eco- and agro-tourism is important both for the protection of the natural environment and for the achievement of rural development, and that education and awareness projects, infrastructure investments, and local and international promotional activities are important for this potential to be fully realized.
While eco- and agro-tourism continues to be an ideal option for environmentally conscious tourists and travelers seeking authentic experiences, this tourism approach aims to provide long-term benefits to the region by protecting natural and cultural values. Since ecotourism is one of the sustainability approaches, we would like to state that sustainable tourism is a fundamental value within sustainable economic development, and that the correct interpretation of the topic of Eco-Tourism is therefore of great importance.
In our collaborative efforts, it is essential to examine the concepts of sustainability, sustainable development, sustainable tourism, and eco-tourism, and to develop suggestions for the proper implementation of eco-tourism activities.

To ensure that the products and services of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which fall under the scope of eco-agro tourism, can reach you and the whole world, we are collaborating with our four main stakeholders: the Cyprus Turkish Tourism and Travel Agencies Association, the Cyprus Turkish Hoteliers Association, the Cyprus Turkish Guides Association, and the Cyprus Turkish Tourism and Travel Agencies Association.

We must work together with the Turkish Restaurant Owners Association and regional NGOs, as well as local administrations.

Tour operators also play a significant role in the work of Turkic States.

In the face of the environmental and social damage caused by uncontrolled mass tourism, ecotourism is an important tool for ensuring sustainable development. It is necessary to protect and develop the natural, historical, cultural, social, and aesthetic values ​​that are tourism resources, ensuring their continued attractiveness.

The aim is to ensure the transfer of protected intangible and tangible assets to future generations.

The management and planning carried out should be environmentally friendly, based on sustainable environmental and ecological principles, feasible economically, and acceptable socially. Thus, approaches that minimize negative environmental, social, and cultural impacts while supporting the well-being of local communities and contributing to the protection of nature-based biodiversity; that organize activities under the responsibility of both tourists and local people, ensuring minimum use of local resources, and increasing local employment should be adopted.
"We believe that the continuation of our joint efforts in this context will enable us to achieve our common goals more easily," he said.

Following the opening speeches, a panel titled "Strengthening Regional Growth: The Role of Tour Operators in Developing Tourism Across Economic Cooperation Organizations" was held, presented by the Acting Director for Tourism, Hasan Tufan.

In addition to workshops and B2B meetings, tours were also conducted as part of our country's promotional activities, including Girne Castle, Bellapais Monastery, Salamis, and Maraş regions.