President's Invitation
Dear Skålleagues, We are very happy and excited to host the 83rd Skål International World Congress on 16-21 October 2024 in our beloved city Izmir.
Izmir is a popular destination for visitors with its historical and cultural riches, magnificent coastline, and modern infrastructure. It is also one of the leading cities in Turkey's tourism sector. There are direct flights from 68 destinations and 35 countries and connecting flights from İstanbul linking the world to Izmir.
You will get the chance to see remarkable national parks, Unesco World Heritage-listed sites such as Pergamon and Ephesus, and one of the world’s first open-air market place called “Kemeralti”, beautifully preserved historic town of Birgi and Geneose Trade Road Castles and Gediz Delta with its stunning nature.
Please take advantage of Turkish Airline’s special discount for our congress attendees and make the most of our country with our pre-post and spouse tours.
We are committed to welcoming and putting our utmost effort into organizing a wonderful event that will be unforgettable for all our Skålleagues from around the world.
See you in Izmir.
Guner Guney,
President of Skål International Izmir
Beautiful İzmir
İzmir, the third biggest city of Türkiye, is a modern and well developed city as well as an important culture, art, tourism and trade center. Aegean Sea, dancing with all shades of blue such as turquoise, lies elegantly like a lacework along the western shore of the region with its bays and beaches.
Having a history of 8500 years, İzmir, which is also called “Beautiful İzmir”, lies at the coast of a long and narrow gulf on the West of the Anatolian Peninsula. Herodotus, the famous historian of ancient times, describes the city with its Mediterranean climate by these words: “They established their city under the most supreme dome of sky and the best climate in the World.”
Ephesus, located on the South of İzmir and Pergamon on the North, were two of the biggest and most famous cities of Ancient Era. Containing all the richness of Ionian culture, these cities had a deep influence with their intense cultural, artistic, commercial and religious activities. Ephesus and Pergamon ancient cities are still well known all over the World and they are mesmerizing attraction centers for people who are indulged in history. Homer, the master of poets was born in İzmir and the city is a mixture of Aegean Region’s colorful past and Anatolia’s fast-changing history. As a modern city having turned its face to Western civilization, İzmir maintains its development in terms of culture, art, trade and industry.