Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to start by expressing my thanks for the invitation to the Eighth Turkish Airlines Travel Agencies Award Ceremony. On such an outstanding event, I would also like to convey my greetings to all travel agencies for their success.

Dear guests,

Turkey and Kuwait enjoy excellent relations in every field. In addition to bilateral relations, Turkey and Kuwait have emerged as leading countries especially in humanitarian and development assistance, as well as mediation in multilateral forums. Wise leaders of both countries serve not only regional but also global peace, security, stability and welfare.

Good political relations give impetus to the relations in other fields. Having said this, our economic relations have also reached an important level. In 2018, bilateral trade increased 11% and the volume reached 1.3 billion Dollars. Nevertheless, we should admit that our economic relations are not at the level of political or people-to-people relations yet.

The level of political and economic relations depends on a number of factors and varied circumstances. However, as you might agree with me, strong relations between people make the bonds between countries stronger. Therefore, if you establish robust links between peoples, the relation could remain strong even for ages.

Distinguished guests,

In Kuwait, we have a very strong ground to establish such relations. Our common religion, history and culture make us closer. This heritage passed from our grandfathers and mothers. However, culture and civilization live with people. If we do not work enough, we can lose them, or at least we cannot pass to the coming generations.

The only way of sustaining this common ground is, again, to keep the people-to-people contacts alive. These might be in the form of business, tourism, art or culture. In any way, we should keep in mind that these face-to-face contacts could be possible only through transportation.

I am glad to say that Turkish Airlines in Kuwait, together with its esteemed staff, valuable partners and especially travel agencies, serves this goal. Turkish Airlines alone has four daily flights to Turkey, increasing up to ten in summers with new destinations such as Trabzon, İzmir, Antalya, Samsun and Bodrum.

Good work is reflected in the figure of tourists, as well. While 255 thousand Kuwaitis visited Turkey in 2017, it increased to almost 300 thousand in 2018. I am proud to say that our Kuwaiti friends rank first in the tourist number visiting Turkey, if you compare the tourist number to the country population. I believe Turkey’s decision to lift visas for Kuwaiti citizens as of 15 August 2017 serves this goal, too.

Tourism will be a much more promising field that both sides benefit. I do not need to talk in detail on the issue of tourism, as Turkey talks about itself anyway. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, international tourist arrivals to Turkey is growing. Turkey is currently the 6th most popular tourist destination in the world. It attracted almost 40 million foreign tourists in 2018.

Istanbul has become a trademark with its historical peninsula and beauties. It is a magnificently unique city that has been capital to many civilizations from past to present. During past two decades, Istanbul has become a world center for tourism, business, arts and culture. More than 100 million passengers travelled to or through Istanbul in 2018.

With cities of deep history, beaches, beautiful countryside, rich culture, culinary and natural wonders, Turkey promises a unique vacation experiences for all visitors. I know Kuwaiti friends are familiar with Turkey. Nonetheless, I would like to suggest Kuwaiti friends not to limit themselves only to most popular destinations in Turkey. There are many places in Turkey waiting for discovery. And, this audience here needs to work harder to make it happen.

On this occasion, let me recommend all Kuwaiti friends the Stopover Free Hotel Project for Kuwaiti passengers preferring the Turkish Airlines in their flights to all European and American destinations.

Using this opportunity, I would also like to congratulate Turkish Airlines for moving thousands of pieces of equipment - including planes, aircraft-towing vehicles, and security sensors - from its base in Atatürk Airport to New Istanbul Airport over 41 hours last weekend. We call it "Great Move", as it was the biggest move in world aviation history. I believe the New Istanbul Airport, the largest airport of Europe, which will accommodate 90 million passengers a year, will make Istanbul and Turkey more attractive destinations.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Before concluding my words, I would like to congratulate all agencies taking awards today, and Turkish Airline staff for their efforts in this great success.

Thank you.