The trade fair, which opened yesterday in İstanbul, is expected to draw around 15,000 visitors from countries as varied as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Syria and Ukraine. CNR Holding General Manager Rüştü Barkay noted that several luxury hotels in İstanbul were full due to visitors flying in to the city to attend the Millionaire Fair.
Speaking at yesterday's opening, Barkay said the decision over where this year's event would be held was made between Dubai and İstanbul and that in the end, after much debate, İstanbul succeeded in attracting the event.
Barkay asserted that there was even more excitement over the Millionaire Fair than there had been for the Formula One races, noting: "According to the information we've received, there are many luxury hotels in İstanbul which are now full, booked by guests who flew in on their private jets for this event. The reverberations and excitement over this event are actually bigger than they were for the Formula One races. Our expectation is that over four days, visitors to this trade fair will spend around $100 million while in the city. Including the volume of business that takes place at the trade fair itself, this figure will be closer to $500 million."
Barkay noted that in addition to brands known worldwide, the trade fair will also feature Turkish brands that through their performance deserve to earn a place in the luxury market.
Spread out over 20,000 square meters of space, the Millionaire Fair will ultimately feature the most luxurious goods produced by 222 brands. Some of the Turkish goods included in the Millionaire Fair are yachts made by Moonday Yachts, of the same kind made for the Dutch prince; a special boat called the "sea limo" of the same kind owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich; the very luxurious "Kainat" rug, handmade and sold by Has Halı, made from silk and gold and boasting 17.2 million knots to it; a special jewelry collection from Topal Mücevherat, designed in concert with famous Iraqi artist Souadad Kandemir and featuring a Burma ruby, worth $2.5 million; the three-wheeled Spyder motorcycle made by the Depar company; a yacht worth 525,000 euros belonging to Efe Tur; and luxurious decorating items from the 2D Collection.
Prestige Foreign Trade pieces on exhibition will include one piece from the Faberge Collection worth 66,000 euros as well as various Lladro porcelain objects worth 10-40,000 euros.
Some of items on display for the first time ever in Turkey include a model from the new series of Aston Martin, the famous car used by James Bond, as well as a Bentley worth 860,000 euros. Interestingly, the trade fair will also feature goods from the line Paris Hilton by Diciotto 18, which have apparently broken sales records in the US.
Some of the guests expected at the trade fair include the fashion advisor to Queen Elizabeth, Özgün Tuna, as well as the fashion advisor to Dutch Queen Beatrix, Sheila de Vries. The Dubai coastal real estate project carrying the name of famous Formula One driver Michael Schumacher will also be promoted during the trade fair.
Foreign Trade Minister Kürşad Tüzmen was present at the opening to this İstanbul trade fair, delivering a speech in which he noted that global millionaires were beginning to focus their attention on Turkish goods and services.
"I think it is extremely meaningful for İstanbul to be the site of this trade fair during a period when everyone is talking about a financial crisis. Turkish goods will speak for themselves with their quality and the feeling of satisfaction they give to all sophisticated consumers," he said.
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