12 February 2016 - The Philippines participated for the first time in the 20th East Mediterranean International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (EMITT) held at the Tuyap Exhibition Center in Istanbul from January 28 to 31.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr. led the 25-member delegation composed of six officials and members of DOT, six officers and staff from the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, eight CEOs/Presidents of tour operators from the Philippines, and five performers.

Honorable Mahir Ünal, Minister of Culture and Tourism (MOCT) of the Republic of Turkey, visited the Philippine booth during the opening of EMITT and had a short meeting with Usec. Bengzon, where both officials committed to enhancing the cooperation between the Philippines and Turkey in the field of tourism.

During the brief meeting between the Turkish MOCT and Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Jr. of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the two officials committed to strengthening cooperation between the Philippines and Turkey in the field of tourism, beginning with the signing of the Agreement on Tourism Cooperation between the two countries before long.

Mr. Koray Erdemir, the Marketing Manager of the Turkish Basketball Association, informed the Philippine delegation that a 100-member group composed of Turkish basketball players, their families and sponsors will be visiting the Philippines in July; not just to participate in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, but also to visit tourist sites in the Philippines. Usec. Bengzon assured him of DOT's support to the Turkish basketball team and touring group.

EMITT 2016 marks the first time that the Philippines participated in an international tourism fair in Turkey.

Filipino performers composed of the three members of the Zel Band, namely: Ramoncito Taño, Ritzel Carumba and Carlos Louis Tiangson, beatbox artist Neil Rey Llanes and Flair Bar Tender Dennis Adjuba entertained the exhibitors and visitors of EMITT 2016, proving once more why the Filipinos are among the most talented people in the world.

Given the excellent performances of Filipino artists and the continuous traffic of visitors in the Philippine booth, it was no surprise that the Philippines was awarded with the "Best Performance" award by the organizers of EMITT.

A reception night was held at Four Seasons Bosphorus Hotel in Istanbul, the highlight of which was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) and the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB). END