Turkey expects a noticeable growth in Tourism coming from GCC Countries through 2010

Despite the world’s financial crisis, which had a severe effect on the international tourism sector, the number of GCC tourists selecting Turkey as favorable touristic destination has increased in 2009 by 16.45%.

Figures from recent statistics have shown that over 27m tourists from around the world have visited Turkey during 2009, which makes an increase by 2.8% from year 2008. Out of the entire world, GCC tourists have made the biggest increase as the number of Kuwaiti tourists was increased by 21.36%, then comes the United Arab Emirates by 12.07%, Bahrain by 12.49%, Saudi Arabia by 20.31%, and Qatar by 0.82%.
 Mr. Emin Kaya, the Cultural & Information Attache in Dubai and the Turkish Tourism Office Manager in UAE, is expecting to have these figures continue to increase despite the financial crisis because of the rich cultural and touristic ingredients that Turkey has and that can attract the Arab, and especially GCC citizens, to come and visit Turkey. “We realize the cultural and religious values of the GCC people which sustain the strong relationships between Turkey and GCC Countries”.

Mr. Kaya added: “Our marketing and promotional strategies during 2010 will include various activities and events in order to attract more tourists to choose Turkey for their next holiday plans. Historical and cultural exhibitions, free touristic trips to journalists, participation at ATM Dubai, and musical and traditional concerts and dances throughout the GCC countries, are all part of a whole strategy to bring people’s attention to Turkey and to show its ability to be a very interesting tourism destination”.

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