Turkish minister forecasts 30 million tourists in 2010

The Turkish tourism minister forecast on Thursday 30 million tourists in 2010.

Turkey's Culture & Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay said that 30 million tourists could visit Turkey in 2010 if the positive course and betterment continued in the world.

"I think we can host at least 28-29 million tourists this year," Gunay told an exclusive interview with AA correspondent.

Gunay said that Turkey was the only country that raised the number of people preferring it as a tourist destination in 2010 despite the economic crisis and epidemic discussions.

Gunay said that the ministry was in an effort to raise the quality of all inclusive system, which made it easier to bring more tourists to Turkey.

"However, we complain that this system shows Turkey as a fairly cheap tourism destination," he said.

Gunay said Turkey's target would be to raise the income per capita in tourism as of 2010.

The minister also said his ministry aimed at a tourism intermingled with culture as Turkey was rich of archaeologic heritage and museums.

"Also, winter sports and golf are new areas that will bring tourists with high income and a group interested in culture to Turkey," he said.

Gunay said Turkey's thermal capacity was high but accommodation in this area was limited.

The Turkish tourism minister also said only Istanbul could make use of congress tourism, and defined tourists visiting countries for congresses as a significant group because of their level of incomes.

Gunay said therefore, Turkey wanted to increase and spread congress tourism.

Turkey has attracted nearly 26 million tourists in the first 11 months of 2009. During January-November period, mostly German, Russian and British tourists preferred Turkey as a holiday destination and tourists mainly visited the Mediterranean region.

/World Bulletin/