One of Türkiye's leading flour producers Eksun Food, continues its work with determination with the aim of adding value to both its sector and society. In line with this vision, the difficulties that celiac patients face in daily life were highlighted at the Celiac and Gluten-Free Life Summit organized by Eksun Gıda in Istanbul for the third time in cooperation with the Celiac Foundation. While celiac individuals from different cities of Türkiye shared their own experiences at the event, experts in the field conveyed the current aspects of gluten-free nutrition to the participants. 

“1 Million People in Türkiye Have Sensitivity to Gluten”

In his speech at the summit Pointing out that celiac disease is more common in society than thought Hasan Abdullah Özkan, President and CEO of Eksun Food Group“According to research, 100 out of every 1 people worldwide and in Türkiye has celiac disease. This means that approximately 1 million people in our country have serious sensitivity to gluten. In recent years, we have seen an increase in diagnosis rates thanks to increased awareness and screening opportunities. However, many people are still trying to live their lives without knowing that they have serious sensitivity to gluten proteins in grains such as wheat, barley and rye,” he said.

"“We Contribute to Increasing Social Awareness on Celiac Disease”

Stating that they see it as a social responsibility to support the access of individuals with celiac disease to gluten-free products that they can consume safely, Ozkan He said the following: “It is a vital need for individuals who have to eat gluten-free to have access to options that they can safely consume in every aspect of life. Significant progress has been made in the work carried out by the Celiac Foundation with public institutions. As Eksun Gıda, we have undertaken the main sponsorship of the foundation in order to further strengthen this process. In this way, on the one hand, we make the lives of individuals with celiac easier by offering special products, while on the other hand, we actively contribute to increasing social awareness,” he said.

“Access to Gluten-Free Products is as Necessary as Talking About Celiac Disease”

Celiac Foundation President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elif Bal Beşikçi Beşikçi stated that the safe and widespread provision of gluten-free products directly affects the quality of life of celiac patients. Beşikçi stated that gluten-free products have been made more accessible in the public sphere through projects implemented with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the private sector, and drew attention to the importance of steps to be taken in this area. The summit also featured panels organized with the participation of experts and individuals with celiac disease, where gluten-free nutrition, product development processes and public support were discussed in a multifaceted manner.

NO Gluten, Offers Both Flour and Snacks

Eksun Gıda produces special products for individuals with celiac disease under the brands Sinangil and Sinangil Gluten YOK., It pioneered this field by producing Türkiye's first packaged gluten-free flour in 2006. Again, with the Sinangil Gluten YOK brand, it offers a comprehensive gluten-free product range spanning a wide range of categories such as flour, bread, sweet and salty cookies, and snacks.

Source: HORECA TREND and Eksun Food

Oya Narin, who stated that it is possible to achieve the success achieved in coastal tourism in the field of thermal tourism, said, “We are 1st in Europe and 4th in the world in terms of geothermal resources; and 3rd in the world in terms of spa applications. However, we are not yet at the desired level in terms of converting this wealth into tourism income. This potential we have can enable us to get a much larger share of global wellness tourism.”

Oya Narin, President of the Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TTYD), spoke at the session titled Thermal Tourism at the International Geothermal Investment Summit held in Ürgüp on May 2025, 9, within the scope of the International Geothermal Investment Summit (IGIS 2025). In the panel moderated by JEMYAD President Ömer Tosun; Oya Narin, Relaix Chateaux Network Development Manager Giulia Devietti Goggia, and MRP Hotels Partner Mustafa Özdemir were the speakers. Oya Narin, who drew attention to the potential of Türkiye in the field of thermal tourism in the panel, pointed out that it has not yet reached a sufficient level in terms of transforming this wealth into economic value.

“Türkiye is not getting enough share from wellness tourism”

Underlining that Türkiye has the capacity to take a much larger share in global wellness tourism with its thermal potential, Oya Narin said:

“Türkiye has become one of the world’s top five destinations with its success in coastal tourism. We are also ranked 1st in Europe and 4th in the world in terms of geothermal resources; and 3rd in the world in terms of spa applications. Our annual income from thermal tourism is around 700 million dollars.

According to the Global Wellness Economy Report 2024 data; The total size of the global wellness economy reached 2023 trillion dollars in 6,3, 830 billion dollars of which came from wellness tourism and 63 billion dollars from thermal tourism. 2023-2028 Between 10,2 and 9,2, wellness tourism is expected to grow by XNUMX% and thermal tourism by XNUMX% annually.

While the US is the leader in wellness tourism with over $300 billion in revenue, Turkey ranks 8,7th with a volume of $16 billion. Germany generates 50% of the thermal revenues in Europe, while Turkey, which has much greater potential, should get its fair share of this market.

“We Must Successfully Realize the Facility Development Initiative in Thermal Tourism”

As of 2023, there is a total capacity of 33.500 thermal beds in Türkiye. With the addition of 2024 new facilities in 9 and 2025 new facilities in 15, a total bed capacity of 7.500 will be reached. This area offers a great investment opportunity.

“An Investment Model Specific to Türkiye Should Be Designed”

In 2024, a total of 2,4 million guests were hosted in thermal facilities, and these visits reached 4,7 million overnight stays. 656 thousand foreign visitors spent 1,2 million overnight stays. At this point, the German model should be examined and an investment model specific to our country that includes Türkiye's cultural and geographical advantages should be designed.

“Investment and Financial Support are Required to Become a Global Center of Attraction”

Stating that Türkiye’s geothermal resources are mainly concentrated in the Aegean Region, but spread to many regions, especially Central Anatolia, Narin concluded his words by saying, “Especially the 4th, 5th and 6th incentive regions offer great opportunities with both their resource potential and natural and cultural values. Investment and financing support are very important in order to become a global center of attraction; in order for Türkiye to become a global center of attraction in thermal health tourism, it is of great importance that investments in this area are implemented in a healthy and sustainable manner. In this direction, financing models need to be diversified and support mechanisms for investors need to be strengthened.”

Source: HORECA TREND and Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TTYD)

PLAT Association, which leads the development of the private label products sector, which strengthens its place in the Turkish economy every passing year, continues its work with its vision and projects that carry the sector forward. Within the scope of the 11th Ordinary General Assembly Meeting of PLAT Association, information regarding the activities and financial structure of the previous period was shared with the members, while the strategies and targets of the new period were also announced. At the Elective General Assembly Meeting, it was decided to continue with the current Board of Directors under the Chairmanship of M. İmer Özer.

In the special session held after the completion of the General Assembly, NielsenIQ presented a general assessment of the retail market covering the end of 2024 and the first months of 2025. The meeting was extremely productive, with participants having the opportunity to gain important insights into industry data.

As Plat, We Adopt the Understanding of 'Competition' 

At the General Assembly Meeting, the management shared their work to date and their future goals. PLAT Association President M. İmer Özer“As PLAT, we will continue to act with an understanding that encompasses all stakeholders in the sector, as we have done so far. We evaluate all components as a whole, from manufacturers to suppliers, raw material providers to logistics companies. We believe that we will move our sector forward with an understanding of ‘competition’ rather than competition. We will continue to grow together by learning, developing in the new period,” he said.

Giving a thank you speech on behalf of the new Board of Directors, PLAT Association Vice President Hakan Hatiboğlu He said: “We have accomplished important works with the support and trust of our valued members. We will work with all our might to carry our sector even further by acting with the same sense of responsibility in the new period. We sincerely thank all our members who contributed, added value and accompanied us on our journey.”

Source: HORECA TREND and PLAT Association