Turkish tourism to grow 10 percent in 2009

Speaking to the Anatolian Agency at a fair held in the southern province of Antalya, Yazar said "the number of foreign tourists visiting Turkey increases every year".Â

"The number of tourists arriving in Turkey from various European countries continues to grow annually. We are noticing a decline in the number of tourists coming from Russia, Ukraine, Belgium and the Netherlands. However, we expect a 25 percent increase in the number of tourists coming to Turkey from the Middle East in 2009. More than two million tourists from the Middle East are expected to visit Turkey in 2009," Yazar said.

"The number of foreign tourists visiting Turkey rose 13 percent in 2008 when compared to the previous year. No other country in the world has enjoyed such an increase in the number of tourists being received. Turkish tourism will grow 10 percent in 2009," he said.

Yazar said his ministry launched a global promotional campaign for Turkey tourism by placing ads on billboards, taxi cabs, mass transportation buses, airports, railway stations, seaports and city centers.

"Some 350 taxi cabs in the Netherlands and Germany will be carry adverts for Turkey tourism for a period of two months," he added.

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has allocated 115 million lira ($68 million) for the promotion of Turkish tourism in 2009.