Tourism Development and Education Foundation /Istanbul Conventions &Visitors Bureau (TUGEV/ICVB)
TUGEV is a foundation and a non-governmental organization that launched its operations upon its establishment in 1984. According to Cabinet Council decision number 84/8256, the foundation is nontaxable. The fundamental duty of the foundation is actualizing operations to develop country’s tourism while acquiring skilled workforce to the sector through training support. TUGEV’s profile is composed of the representatives and executives of the tourism organizations and prominent businessmen among the stakeholders.
TUGEV’s main purpose is to realize the Turkey’s existing tourism potential while bringing this potential into force thus increasing tourism’s contribution to economy; contributing to the establishment and implementation of tourism policies and taking part in the stages of organization and coordination; acquiring qualified workforce to the sector and building effective policies by underlining the importance of the events industry.
Established in 1997 The Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau – (ICVB) is a non-profit destination marketing organisation working as a branch of Tourism Development & Education Foundation – (TUGEV). ICVB’s main purpose is the promotion and marketing of the congress, conference, fair and exhibition venues of Turkey and particularly of Istanbul, in Turkey and abroad and in this way accelerate the congress and conference industries while enabling the development of tourism by contributing to the promotion of the city as well as the country.
ICVB is also the only competent body that representing Istanbul on behalf of the leading international meetings industry organisations of which it is a member of such as the ICCA (International Convention & Congress Association), ECM (European Cities Marketing) and MPI (Meeting Professionals International). Moreover, the officials of ICVB play key roles within the scope of international communication networks on behalf of our country and our city by taking part in the corporate boards, commissions and executive councils of the aforementioned organizaitons.
