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The 19th Ayvalık International Olive, Harvest and Tourism Festival, organised with the slogan ‘Value of Tourism, Capital of Olive Oil’, has started.
The festival, which is held between 1-3 November, comes with a rich programme with the support of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, Ayvalık Municipality and various local organisations. Ayvalık Chamber of Commerce Chairperson Ali Uçar stated that the festival is part of the vision to promote Ayvalık olive oil as an international brand.
TOURISM AND HARVEST FESTIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF OLIVE OIL…
The festival, which is a product of Ayvalık district’s efforts to promote its olive oil to the world, draws attention not only to the olive harvest but also to its potential in tourism. Stating that Ayvalık wants to create a brand value like the one created by the Italians, Uçar said, “Ayvalık is one of the three most famous olive oil producers in the world. Our aim is to make Ayvalık olive oil a global tabletop product with the ‘Made in Ayvalık’ brand.”
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Pointing out that Ayvalık offers a unique attraction point in tourism with its 14,500 bed capacity, 22 islands suitable for diving tourism and red corals that can be seen only in two places, Uçar said that they drew attention to these aspects of the festival.
‘MADE IN AYVALIK’ BRAND IN THE GLOBAL MARKET…
Ali Uçar, Chair of Ayvalık Chamber of Commerce, emphasised that Turkish olive oil has a wide market worldwide.
“Turkish olive oil attracts great interest in the US, EU, Saudi Arabia, Japan and many other countries. However, we have deficiencies in branding,” Uçar noted.
Highlighting that they aim to reach the brand value that Italians add to olive oil, Uçar added, “If we want to create added value, we need to take more steps in institutionalisation and brand creation. Ayvalık’s boutique production structure is an opportunity for us to make it a globally recognised ‘Made in Türkiye, Made in Ayvalık’ brand.”
