The terrible human cost notwithstanding, the horrific events of the last two weeks in Istanbul could not have come at a worse time for the Turkish leather industry, now on the threshold of its show season. 

The next eight weeks will see the city play host to no less than three fairs; AYMOD (December 11-14); International Leather Days (January 8-10), with a second leather fair, Istanbul Leather Days, taking place January 15-17.  It is likely visitor levels at all three shows will be down, especially in the light of the warnings issued by various governments, all of them advising their citizens to steer clear of Istanbul.   

But it is also encouraging to note the proactive stance taken by one of the fair organisers in the days since last week’s bomb attacks.  The company behind AYMOD and Istanbul Leather Days, RDF, has issued a  statement highlighting the ‘tight security’ that has been in place at the shows’ TUYAP and CNR (World Trade Centre) fairgrounds for the past six years, including security guards at the doors of the venues.

In the statement, Ms. Ayse Kulelioglu, Foreign Relations Director with RDF, said they were considering doubling their uniformed security guards to 60 and that the  inner pavilions, stands and aisles at the showgrounds would be patrolled by undercover officers. A lower profile hotel had also been chosen for the foreign trade press and VIP visitors, Ms Kulelioglu added,  while pointing to the high levels of security that have long been in place at Istanbul airport.

Though the decision on whether or not to travel to Istanbul ultimately rests with the individual, the action taken by RDF demonstrates that within the Turkish leather industry - as with the country as a whole – the matter of security is being taken extremely seriously.

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