Destination Development and
Institutionalization Strategies
In the OIC Member Countries
96
latest tourismdevelopments to their members. ICVB also organizes educational meetings in partnership with
local universities as well as TURSAB Academy (Travel Agency Association).304
Aid in kind: ICVB uses practical solutions by taking aid in kind from members. Turkish Airlines is the most
important aid in kind service provider. It provides free or discounted tickets for projects related to ICVB.
DMO Key Performance Indicators
As a foundation, the Tourism Development and Education Foundation (TUGEV) is subject to an audit by
the Directorate General of Foundations of the Prime Ministry.305
Tourism related operations are under certain inspection rules set by the Turkish government (e.g., Travel
Agency Lawnumbered 1618). The Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Culture is the key local tourism authority
arm of the government for legal inspection in the destination. For example, across Istanbul, in the first 7
months of 2017, the department has inspected travel agencies, persons, vehicles and guides - 6,949 in total.
As a result of this inspection, 32 businesses have been shut down due to wrongdoing against tourist groups,
37 businesses have shut down because of operating as a pseudo travel agencywithout license, and about $600
thousand in penalties have been levied against tourism related misconduct.306
Belek DMO is a joint venture company and audited by the Trade Ministry as well as internal board members.
Funding Sources for DMOs
ICVB receives direct contribution and physical office place from the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, and
membership fees from the other 42 private and non-profit members. Aid in kind helps frommembers makes
very easy to do promotional and networking activities such as getting cheap or free tickets from Turkish
Airlines for important guests or visitors.
While city taxes (%1 to %5) are common resources for city level DMOs around the world, as they provide a
stable funding for long term promotional planning for DMOs, however, there is no city tax in Istanbul or
Turkey overall. It would boost ICVB’s promotional activities worldwide even if a small percent city tax is
applied to Istanbul hotels.307
Belek BETUYAB DMO is fully funded by 47 private hotel members with an annual budget of more than EUR
300,000.
Lessons Learned
 DMOs need to play a pro-active role to ensure continued tourism business: For example, when there is a
threat of cancellation of an international meeting in Istanbul, ICVB takes pro-active role by contacting the
tourism ministry, city governorship and president of municipality to provide international meeting
organizers with additional guarantees, and letters of intent from the Turkish government.
 Information gathering is a must: A DMO should collect information (such as data on international events
organized by local associations in the city) from all stakeholders and re-distribute it to the major markets
in order to create a competitive advantage. For example, being in the higher rank at ICCA’s (International
Congress and Convention Association) yearly Country & City Rankings List is crucial as it directly affects
304 Ibid.
305 Ibid.
306 İstanbul'da turisti kandırana af yok. (2017, August 6). Retrieved from
307 From the interview with ICVB team, 17 Nov 2017, ICVB Office, Istanbul.