• Home
• /
• Markets

Big surge in GCC tourist traffic flow to Turkey

Turkey, one of global tourism hot spots, drew a bigger number of tourists from the GCC, particularly from the UAE, said the Turkish Tourism and Culture Office in Dubai.

The Turkish Tourism and Culture Ministry’s official statistics for March 2012 show that there has been an increase of 86.81 per cent in the number of visitors from the UAE in 2011, while tourists from Bahrain increased by 54.38 per cent and those from Qatar by 102.30 per cent, Sedat Gönüllüoðlu, Cultural and Information Attaché at the Dubai Turkish Tourism and Culture Office, said. The Turkish stand at the Arabian Travel Market, which closed on Thursday, hosted 30 participants, including Turkish Airlines, Rixos Hotels, and the Turkish Cultural and Tourism Office.

This is in addition to an array of top ranking health and medical entities, spas, travel agencies and governmental institutions, said Gönüllüoðlu.

“The Middle Eastern consumer base holds a great deal of importance within the Turkish tourism sector, with the number of visitors to Turkey from the region growing exponentially in recent years,” he said in a statement.

Turkey has witnessed a long line of success in 2011, having ranked as the number one tourism spot by tourists all over the world and many of its cities being awarded must-visit status within the Middle East and Europe. “This is in addition to a massive influx of GCC visitors, far out-reaching numbers from previous years,” he said.

According to Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuðrul Günay Turkey had a quite successful year in regard to tourism in 2011. More than 31 million tourists visited Turkey last year. “And according to official figures, our tourism revenues amounted to $23 billion. We have achieved a growth over twice the world average.”

Gönüllüoðlu said Turkey was well prepared to participate at ATM this year with such a strong set of exhibitors that have much to offer this year’s visitors. “Turkey has much to showcase, including breath-taking natural vistas and a wide range of cultural and historical offerings. Turkey’s strong tourism infrastructure offers its visitors everything from modern luxury to state of the art health tourism venues, as well as exhibitions and conventions, unrivaled cuisine and exceptional value. All of this is wrapped up in unparalleled Turkish hospitality which makes it an unmatched tourism destination,” he said.

He said Turkey has what it takes to become a global leader within the tourism industry. “This year witnesses a wealth of offerings from the Turkish front, which include unique and exotic sites that GCC residents have yet to experience.”

— issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com