‘Faith Tourism Days’
was held by The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, in cooperation with
the Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Turkey between 25 –
27 October 2002, in Kusadası.
Nearly 500 guests, were
present at the meetings. In addition to the Turkish participants, guests
from several other countries including Great Britain, Egypt, Greece,
Germany, Israel, Italy, Federation of Russia and U.S.A. also attended and
contributed to the event.. The Turkish Minister of Culture, diplomats, high
rank government officials, mayors, religious leaders, academics,
representatives of tour operators, travel agencies, NGO’s, chambers of
commerce and members of media were among the distinguished guests who
honoured the event.
The speeches delivered
in the meetings have been collected in a TURSAB’s publication ‘Faith Tourism
Days’, under the following headings;
• Opening Speeches
• Religions Co-existing
in the Cradle of Civilisation,
• Anatolia and
Religious Tolerance
• Faith Tourism In
Meeting of Religions and World Peace
• Faith Tourism
• Guests Speakers and
Closing
The presentations of
different ideas and views with particular reference to Turkey’s historical
heritage, socio-cultural values and their significance, underlined the
important subjects to be taken into consideration in the process of
development of faith tourism.
"Faith Tourism Days"
has been an ideal platform for dialog and mutual understanding as well as
for evaluating Turkey’s cultural legacy of inestimable value, in the context
of Faith Tourism. It has been a memorable event and encouraging for TURSAB,
to continue its programme of such events in the years to come.
