Destination Development and
Institutionalization Strategies
In the OIC Member Countries
95
Role of ALTID
The Board of Directors of ALTID consists of 19 members who are either hotel investors or managers.
ALTID has a chairperson, vice chairman, general secretaries, accountants as well as committees for hotel
personnel training, destination development projects, relations with tourism agencies, and beach
developments.
The decision making process for ALTID starts at the board of directors level, by forming an agenda in the
direction of the DMO charter. Meetings, workshops, project committees and protocol jobs are held in
participation with public and private institutions, universities and tourism stakeholders in Alanya. For
example, Alanya Municipality, Alanya District Governorate, Alanya Universities, chambers of commerce
and vocational associations and other professional institutions are included in the projects as associates
or as social partners.
Product Development at ALTID
In recent years, ALTID has implemented projects in order to diversify tourism products and to extend the
seasonal tourism in the Alanya region. These projects include Wave Surfing Days in Alanya, and Alanya
Nature Sports Development Project (Trekking). Some of these product development projects are
conducted in coordination with public institutions and other sectoral institutions.
Local values are the most important of the sub-component elements that are involved in the destination
marketing of different tourism products as well as community development. For instance, Alanya Castle
area is an example with the preservation of historical residential houses and making them a source of
tourism revenue for local house owners. Architectural examples and rare walking paths are allowed to be
visited by the visitors to see and buy handcrafted silk weaving and pumpkin decoration samples
manufactured by residents. Again, a few years ago, Sapadere Canyon and silk production has been another
point of attraction for the community in the nearby.
The local culture and way of life as well as local products are a main feature of the destination. For example,
the Alanya Castle area is famous for its houses that feature local architecture and for its walking paths that
are frequented by visitors and locals alike, where they can buy handcrafted silk products and decorated
pumpkins.
The role of DMOs with regard to stakeholders
ICVB is in daily contact with its members (congress-exhibition centers, hotels, restaurants, service providers
and transportation companies) via phone contact, e-mailing, annual meetings, and educational seminars to
convey latest development in the world.302 It also organizes an annual meeting with its stakeholders.
Matchmaking local stakeholders with international market players: ICVB invites representatives of
international companies who are searching for the best city to arrange their incentive meetings, and
introduces them to local stakeholders, who are members or non-members of ICVB. While ICVB has over 40
members it serves all tourism players in the city. 303
Member education: The ICVB teamattends international meetings such as ICCAmeetings relating to the latest
developments in the tourism industry. They then organize seminars and educational meetings to convey the
302 From the interview with ICVB team, 17 Nov 2017, ICVB Office, Istanbul.
303 Ibid.