Tourism’s star to shine
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Anatolia News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 03, 2009 00:00
ANTALYA - Unlike many sectors being forced to downsize, Turkey’s tourism industry targets 10 percent growth this year, an official from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announces. Turkey especially expects a boost in tourists from many Middle Eastern countries
Despite the economic crisis, Turkey’s tourism will grow by 10 percent, according to İbrahim Yazar, assistant general manager of publicity, Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Yazar said the number of tourists traveling to Antalya has increased daily. "There are some deficiencies in the Ukraine, Belgium and Holland markets, but the number of tourists coming from Middle Eastern countries exceeds 1.5 million. In the worst-case scenario, the increase in this market will be recorded as 25 percent this year, which means over 2 million tourists visiting Turkey," he said.
Yazar said 2009 would be "a special year" for the tourism sector as a result of the current economic crisis. The research conducted so far has shown that Turkey is the country least affected by the economic crisis, and although there is some constriction in some markets, other markets keep growing in Turkey, he said.
"In 2008, the number of tourists increased by 13 percent when compared to that in 2007. No other country in the world has experienced that much increase. The highest increase was recorded as 2 to 3 percent so far. Turkey is the only country that has grown over 10 percent," said Yazar.
The growth figures show no decrease this year and the only difference will be that last-minute sales will increase, said Yazar. That will be the worst effect of the crisis, he said.
Yazar said there will be further growth in the England, Switzerland, Austria and Middle Eastern markets while the Germany market will stay parallel to last year’s figures.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has developed a new promotional strategy that will focus on outdoor advertising and is expected to reach targeted audiences more efficiently, said Yazar.
"We want to conduct the advertising operations in densely populated areas. Some 350 taxis in Holland and Germany will carry Turkey ads for two months while those taxis pertaining to Turkish citizens will carry them for two years," said Yazar, adding that they will do their best to boost Turkey’s image abroad by developing relationships with the travel agencies, foreign media and all other related organs.
The promotional budget has increased from 108 million last year to 115 million Turkish Liras.
Yazar said the number of tourists traveling to Antalya has increased daily. "There are some deficiencies in the Ukraine, Belgium and Holland markets, but the number of tourists coming from Middle Eastern countries exceeds 1.5 million. In the worst-case scenario, the increase in this market will be recorded as 25 percent this year, which means over 2 million tourists visiting Turkey," he said.
Yazar said 2009 would be "a special year" for the tourism sector as a result of the current economic crisis. The research conducted so far has shown that Turkey is the country least affected by the economic crisis, and although there is some constriction in some markets, other markets keep growing in Turkey, he said.
"In 2008, the number of tourists increased by 13 percent when compared to that in 2007. No other country in the world has experienced that much increase. The highest increase was recorded as 2 to 3 percent so far. Turkey is the only country that has grown over 10 percent," said Yazar.
The growth figures show no decrease this year and the only difference will be that last-minute sales will increase, said Yazar. That will be the worst effect of the crisis, he said.
Yazar said there will be further growth in the England, Switzerland, Austria and Middle Eastern markets while the Germany market will stay parallel to last year’s figures.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has developed a new promotional strategy that will focus on outdoor advertising and is expected to reach targeted audiences more efficiently, said Yazar.
"We want to conduct the advertising operations in densely populated areas. Some 350 taxis in Holland and Germany will carry Turkey ads for two months while those taxis pertaining to Turkish citizens will carry them for two years," said Yazar, adding that they will do their best to boost Turkey’s image abroad by developing relationships with the travel agencies, foreign media and all other related organs.
The promotional budget has increased from 108 million last year to 115 million Turkish Liras.