Turkish tourism association awaits visitor boost this year

ÇORUM - Anadolu Agency

Başaran Ulusoy, chairman of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, has said they are confident of reaching their target of 43 million tourists this year. AA photo

The number of tourists to Turkey is expected to rise to a record high of 43 million this year, with a moderate increase in tourism income also projected, according to Başaran Ulusoy, the chairman of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

“We are walking straight to our target of 43 million tourists and $36 billion income,” Ulusoy told Anadolu Agency in a recent interview in Çorum.

The tourist income figure exceeded $34 million last year, according to figures by TÜRSAB, and although it predicts a rise in the number of tourists this year it also foresees a fall in income per tourist.

However, figures estimated by sector bodies the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) and the Tourism Ministry conflicted with this estimate.

World War I impetus

TÜRSAB is anticipating a large influx of tourists to the western province of Çanakkale next year, the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli. In particular, Australians and New Zealanders pay respects on the anniversaries ever year to commemorate the tens of thousands of losses at the site during World War I.

TÜRSAB Chairman Ulusoy said his organization was focusing on promoting Turkey for domestic tourists along with foreign visitors, vowing to focus on the less popular non-coastal areas in the country. 

“There is life on Anatolian soil,” he said, underscoring the presence of different attraction points.