Organisers of the Turkey & Neighbours Hotel Investment Conference (CATHIC), Bench Events, have confirmed it will return to Turkey for the third year running in May.

The now-annual conference is scheduled in Istanbul from May 29th-30th 2013.

The event, the leading hospitality investment conference in central Asia, is expected to attract more than 350 industry movers and shakers to discuss opportunities and challenges facing investors and operators in the region’s burgeoning tourism and hospitality sector.

According to Mehmet Önkal, managing partner of BDO Hospitality Consulting and the co-organiser of CATHIC, tourism and hospitality is set to play a key role in the country’s economic growth.

He noted that towns, cities and resorts nationwide are already experiencing a steady increase in domestic tourism, as well as an increasing stream of inbound visitors.

Önkal cited a recent Ministry of Culture & Tourism report from Turkey that suggests that the country expects more than 50 million international visitors every year and this trend will continue for the next decade.

He went on to share that these numbers will generate tourism-related revenue in excess of US$50 billion per annum.

“Now is the time for investors, developers and operators to take a serious look at Turkey and the greater region.

“The opportunity is in the development of destinations and new tourism hubs.

“This year’s CATHIC provides the perfect venue for serious players to discuss the investment roadmap, together,” Önkal added.

The organisers confirmed that CATHIC’s agenda will present insights into the key success factors for development, such as the role of government, regional air travel trends and understanding the sentiment of international investors.

The programme will also address issues like hotel development, hotel branding, financing and operations.

CATHIC is co-organised by Bench Events and Questex Media, who also organise the Russia and CIS Hotel Investment Conference, Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, International Hotel Investment Forum Asia Pacific, and the International Hotel Investment Forum Berlin.

In addition to the conference programme, CATHIC offers many networking opportunities including an exhibition where delegates have the opportunity to meet the key players in the industry.