Turkey strongly participates at ATM 2009 with expectation of two million Middle Eastern tourists

Turkish Tourism will reviews during the 4 days exhibition the most important achievements of Tourism industry last year together with the great facilities offered by the country for visitors from the Middle East region as well as the future plans in attracting more Arab tourists, and will also answer questions and queries from journalists of all newspapers and magazines, local, Arab and international ones.

Turkish Tourism's Director General Mr. Cumhur Güven Taþbaþý invites nationals of the Gulf States and Arab tourists to benefit from the privileges and facilities provided by his country. In the same time, Turkey targeted 30 million tourists in 2009 and 75% increase of arrivals from the GCC countries.

For his part, Turkish Tourism's Director General expressed his optimism on the results of this year ATM and said, "We are more confident in this forum to achieve our ambitions of the previous forums, "noting that the number of incoming tourists from the Middle East to Turkey is on the rise, thanks to a continuous policy adopted by our Government to provide the best services for Arab tourists."

"Our growth expectation of foreign tourists to Turkey 10% in 2009 despite the ongoing global economic crisis, which was 13% in 2008 when compared to the 2007," Turkish Tourism's Director General said.

Speaking in special interview on the occasion of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai - UAE, Mr. Emin Kaya, Turkish Tourism Attaché to UAE expected a 75% increasing of the tourists number visiting Turkey from the Middle East Countries during 2009 with total number of 2 million visitors from the same area and No other country in the world has enjoyed such an increase in the number of tourists being received.

Mr. Emin added:

"During the first 3 month of 2009, the number of tourists increased with good figures, from Kuwait 3153 tourists (152.64%), from UAE 2109 tourists (81.44%), from Qatar 515 tourists (58.46%) and from Bahrain 761 tourists (26.62%)."

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has allocated $68m for the promotion of Turkish tourism in 2009.

The Ministry of Tourism and Culture aims to increase the number of tourists by 75% compared to last year and has prepared a new promotional package which will be used by 60 countries.