Europe Triathlon

World Health Sport Tourism Congress and Exhibition

We have always been firmly of the opinion that sport can transcend politics. Again and again we have seen bridges being built by athletes and sporting bodies, while at the same time backs are being stabbed by some politicians.

This weekend in Antalya, a city well-known to us all for triathlon, sea swimming and warm welcomes from our Turkish hosts, hundreds of people attended the Hestourex - World Health, Sport, Tourism Congress & Exhibition, over the weekend 6th to 9th, April.

The Hestourex Congress & Exhibition was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Youth and Sports of Turkey and has over the years evolved to become “Turkey’s First and Only platform, where thousands of people from the health tourism, sports tourism and sustainable tourism sectors across the globe meet to discuss the policies and procedures, legal framework, latest trends, competitors and stakeholders, medical tour business acumen, certification, the how and with whom to tie up for business.”

There were seminars delivered by the Turkish National Olympic Committee, the Russian Olympic Committee, by the International Orienteering Federation, by the Global Professional Tennis Coach Association, Dutch Footgolf, the Footgolf Association of Czech Republic, UK and Irish Footgolf, UK Golf Association Director of Foreign Relations, the Polish Sports University, the Lithuanian Tourism Cluster, the Ukraine Health Tourism Association and from ŞAMİL YAŞACAN, President of Turkish Sport Tourism Council.

With a focus primarily upon the representatives of health tourism, sport tourism and alternative tourism industries from all over the world, one clear aspect that captured the delegates’ attention was of course Triathlon and it was the dedicated team from Alanya who shared their enthusiasm for our sport with those who attended.

Eugène Kraus was there to help out, accompanied by Maria Cherkovskaya-Tarasevich.

With Mehmet Zafer Peker (without any doubt, the “Main Man” behind the excellent Alanya Triathlon), was the husband and wife team, Mustafa and Kaia Şirin.

With the expertise of event organisation up to and including one of the biggest ETU Triathlon Championships, Peker was able to share his knowledge. Supported by Kaia and Mustafa, both athletes and both very experienced technical officials, and with input from Eugène Kraus, our sport got a high-level promotion from real experts.

Hard work finished, it was back to Alanya for some well-earned relaxation, with a very familiar background.