*The Bodrum Peninsula Publicity Foundation, perhaps better known by its Turkish acronym BOYTAV (chaired by Mehmet Kocadon) took part in the Utrecht Tourism Fair and came back reporting that some 1700 tourism firms took part. A lengthy report of this event is quite optimistic regarding Dutch holidaymakers coming to Turkey, projecting that some 700,000 visitors may be expected in 2008. Apparently this same committee plans to participate in the Berlin Tourism Fair. It is interesting that the BOYTAV organizers plan to do without brochures and similar publicity aids but will rather rely on “big brains” (direct translation from the Turkish report) doing direct contacts. We hope to learn the identity of such “big brains” and that they will be fluent in the languages of target countries.

 **A planned event that will surely provide excellent publicity for Bodrum in the long run is the planned participation of the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology in an exhibition in the New York Metropolitan Museum starting November 13, 2008 and continuing until February 2009. Some 156 artifacts, including the unique golden scarab seal of the famed Egyptian Queen Nefertiti, will be sent from our Museum to be exhibited in the Metropolitan along with artifacts from other important world museums. Items excavated from the Uluburun Shipwreck are expected to be the stars of the exhibition.

 ***Anyone interested in stretching their legs during the winter hibernation may wish to take part in nature walks organized every week by the Bodrum Nature Sports Club (Bodrum Doga Sporlari Kulubu). On 27 January ’08 the group plans a walk to the Mandira Lighthouse, with start on Sunday at 0900 hrs from in front of the Bodrum Tansas. There are rules that participants have to obey, so for details phone Nasip Seker at 313-8371, or cell phones 0542-212-0658 or 0535-835-1252.