RIZE, Türkiye — The natural beauty, gastronomy, and rich cultural heritage of the Kaçkar mountain range are set to form the foundation of a new tourism brand for the region. On April 17–18, 2026, Rize hosted the 1st International Kaçkar Tourism Fair (Kaçkar Turizm Fuarı), bringing together industry representatives from 16 countries.

Organized under the patronage of the Rize and Artvin provincial administrations with the support of the Rizem Culture and Tourism Association, the fair marked a key step in implementing the “Discover Kaçkar” strategy. The main goal of the project is to position the region as an internationally recognized destination for eco-tourism, culture, and authentic cuisine.

B2B meetings driving economic growth

The central platform of the event was the B2B meeting area, where around 150 international travel agencies met with more than 400 representatives of the local tourism industry.

“We expected around 450–600 meetings, but the actual figures exceeded our expectations,” said Burak Avcı, Chairman of the Rizem Association.

According to him, the agreements reached will lay the groundwork for next year’s concept and help attract new investments to the region. Approximately 10,000 visitors attended the event over two days.

Expert discussions and focus on sports tourism

The business program focused on the transformation of the sector. On the first day, experts discussed changing tourist behaviors during the panel “Different Markets — Different Expectations,” as well as strategic positioning in the session “One Destination, Many Markets: Where Do Rize and Artvin Stand?”

Special attention was given to sports tourism. At the stand of the Turkish Motorcycle Federation, a competition was held, with Buğrahan Sapdüzen winning an electric motorcycle. Representatives of the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) emphasized that active tourism and sports will be key growth drivers for the Kaçkar region in the coming years.

Cultural flavor: From falcons to “Laz Rally”

Beyond business, the fair offered visitors an immersive experience of the Black Sea region’s cultural atmosphere. Guests were able to enjoy:

• Traditional falconry hunting (Atmaca);

• Iconic “Laz Rally” vehicles;

• Working models of corn mills;

• Interactive simulators and tastings of local products.

Rize Deputy Governor Abdullah Kurt highlighted the importance of the event for the local economy:

“Our goal is to diversify tourism in Rize and ensure its sustainable development. This fair has given a new boost to the tourism sector.”

Rize Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Alper Avluk added that the high level of activity in the B2B area confirms growing international interest in northeastern Türkiye.