The world's second largest fair in its field, Hometex Home Textiles and Accessories Fair, is opening its doors for the 26th time following the period of pandemic. Organized by the Turkish Home Textile Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TETSİAD), the umbrella organization of the sector, and KFA Fuarcılık Agency, a subsidiary of Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO), Hometex will host industry professionals at the Istanbul Expo Center (İFM) between 17-21 May.
Full Participation to the Introductory Meeting by the Presidents
The press conference, hosted by the TETSİAD President Hasan Hüseyin Bayram and BTSO President İbrahim Burkay, was attended by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) President Şekib Avdagic, Istanbul Chamber of Industry (İSO) President Erdal Bahçıvan, İTHİB President Ahmet Öksüz, İHKİB President Mustafa Gültepe, UTİB Vice President Ufuk Oçak, Former TETSİAD President Recep Tanrıverdi and TÜGİAD President Nilüfer Çevikel and as well as by the Chairman of Exporter Unions and Industry Representatives.
Bayram: “Thanks to the Fairs, Hotels around Surrounding Areas are 100 per cent Occupied”
TETSİAD President Hasan Hüseyin Bayram, who pointed out that the organization of world's largest fairs and events, was not a possibility for a while as a consequence of pandemic that resulted in financial losses in trillion dollars, said the following, ’’The postponement of Heimtextil fair as well that was scheduled for January in Germany that has given Hometex fair greater importance. Hometex, one of the two largest home textile fairs in the world, witnessed a huge demand both from domestic and international regions. As evidence, the occupancy rate of hotels located around surrounding regions reached to 100 per cent on the dates of organization.’’
TETSİAD President Bayram continued his wording while referring to their fair journey that started on the shop floor windows at Sultanhamam since the city has made a reputation as the heart of the industry leading to the first organization of the event at a hotel saloon covering 600 square meter area in 1992 and its transformation to the global brand with the organization of an event in an area of 160 thousand square meters at 11 Halls while also underlining their contribution in this journey, “The fair, which we will organize with the motto of “More Stronger and More Participatory Hometex”, will be an event where crises are turned into opportunities. We expect 150 - 200 thousand visitors to the fair with the buying committee of thousands of brands from hundreds of countries from Europe to the Middle East, from Central Asia to the Turkic Republics, from North Africa to the USA. Professional buying committees will have the opportunity to see the world's newest collections, environmentally friendly products produced with the latest technology, and new colors, trends and designs at this fair. Another important feature that will make Hometex unique is that it will accommodate within the framework of the Green Reconciliation Action Plan. As the industry, we continue our strategy in every area discipline from production to investment in line with the Green Reconciliation Action Plan. In this respect, this fair will be an environmental one where recyclable products are exhibited in abundance.”
Turkey, One of the Largest Suppliers
Reminding that Turkey is one of the largest home textile suppliers in the world, along with China, India and Pakistan, Bayram said, “Turkey has the largest and strongest embroidery machinery park in the world. We are the trend-setter in curtains, its’ accessories, tulle, upholstery fabric and upholstery leather, kitchen and dining room textiles, towels and bathroom group products, sleeping and bedroom textiles, yarns, floor coverings, wall coverings and decoration products. Today, Turkish home textile products have become a sought-after brand in many countries around the globe under the name of "Turkish Home Tekstil". Further, “Turkish Home Tekstil” has become one of the most valuable industry brands in Turkey that has a global reputation. In addition, the Turkish towel, which has a history of 1600 years, is a sought-after product in the world. Turkey, which has developed the production of bathrobes along with towels, created a brand called “Turkish Towel” and this brand was registered worldwide through “Turquality”. The towels used by all four teams in the "Euroleauge" Final Four held in Istanbul are the towels produced in Denizli under the "Turkish Towels" brand. On the other hand, consumers and buyers in Far East countries, which make up 30 percent of the customer base of the leading brands in the home textile industry in the world, have become more interested in the "Made in Turkey" label instead of the "Made in China" or "Made in Vietnam" labels in recent years. With the new connections to be made, we aim for Hometex to contribute 25-30 percent to Turkish home textile exports.”
Industry Joined Forces
While İTHİB President Ahmet Öksüz stated that sound fairs are needed to strengthen the industry, İHKİB President Mustafa Gültepe said that if we want to be ranked amongst elite cities, we need fairs, it is very important for the industry that chambers and unions have come together. UTİB Vice President Ufuk Oçak said that the young population in the sector motivates them and they look to the future with this hope.
