The number of tourists visiting Turkey in the first five months reached 11.8 million corresponding to an increase of 30.8 percent compared to the same period last year. Culture and Tourism Minister Kurtulmus stated this was an all-time record for Turkey.
Turkey’s tourism sector is leaving bad days behind. The sector which saw rock-bottom figures in both number of incoming tourists and revenues in 2016 broke a record in the first five months of the year. The previous record was in 2014.
Culture and Tourism Minister Kurtulmus who made important statements in the organization arranged by the Tourism Advisory Board (TIK) stated that Turkey’s tourism industry had plummeted in 2015-2016 due to various reasons. He added that Turkey had received 32 million tourists last year bringing in revenue of US$ 26.5 billion. The Minister said Turkey had shown a brilliant performance in first 5 months of 2018 covering January-May period and broken an all-time record in tourism with an increase of 30.8 percent as compared to same period in 2017.
The Minister went on to say “We do not find this enough. We will continue to take necessary steps to increase tourism revenues per capita”.
Kurtulmus pointed out that Turkey’s tourism had achieved a spectacular return in 2017 and the administration had set the target for 2018 as 40 million people. The Minister also said their target for 2023 was 50 million tourists with US$ 50 billion.
Kurtulmus added they would do their best to reach these figures adding they would consider revising them after elections.
Turkey is currently one of the prominent tourism destinations in the Mediterranean region with state-of-the-art accommodation facilities and plenty of historical and cultural spots as well as unparalleled hospitality.
