The NL-TR-Friendship Train concept
As part of the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Turkey in 2012, NIHA, in cooperation with the Turkish Republic State railways (TCDD), is planning to arrange a series of activities in Turkish long distance trains. Also it will offer as a platform for Dutch and Turkish institutions and companies to organise their own activities. NIHA will work out the idea of the interested party and plan and organise the activity from beginning to the end.
Main goals are:
- To make the NL-TR friendship more visible in Turkey
- To create a link between several stand-alone activities
- To show NL guests different parts of the country and bring activities to other parts of TR, other than the 3 big cities
- To offer a perfect platform for meeting and conferencing with (possible) counterparts and partners in Turkey without losing valuable time, whilst making use of an original, inspirational and sustainable way of travelling
The feasibility of the concept was tested during a pilot-run which took place between July 28th and August 1st 2011 during a trip to the Cappadocia region. During this trip meetings were held with stakeholders, consisting of 40 officials from the Netherlands and Belgian Embassies, Turkish government and Dutch and Turkish NGO’s, to merge different initiatives, plans and programs in order to strengthen and provide a boost to our activities for a memorable 2012.
The trip was evaluated ‘excellent’ to ‘very nice’ by all participants. More information on the train, the concepts we offer and an impression of the train trip made in July can be found on: our website.