The tourism facilities’ occupancy has reached almost full capacity these days as the religious festival of Eid al-Adha lured an impressive number of tourists in Turkey. Almost 500,000 visitors are expected this time of the year to arrive in the country, and the tourism sector is expected to contribute to the economy with an important amount: 500 million Turkish Liras (USD 250 million).
The sea at Natur-Med – courtesy the resort
“Despite negative impacts on the tourism sector, Turkish tourism continued to develop. The tourist numbers rose by 10.6 percent in the first eight months from the same period a year earlier,” said Mehmet İşler, Turkish Hoteliers Association (TÜROFED) Deputy President, quoted by Hurriyet Daily.
Usually, this time of the year tourists choose thermal hotels in provinces like Yalova, in the northwest part of Turkey, which is a favorite and most famous destination of its kind, especially for visitors coming from the Middle East. Hotels located in the southern part of the country are also expected to work at full capacity during this holiday.
“We are near to the end of the tourism season that will be closed after this nine-day holiday,” Kamil Özer, Muğla Culture and Tourism manager told Anadolu Agency.
The Eid al-Adha isn’t a very long holiday, it actually takes place between Oct. 15 and Oct. 18. However, the public sector’s employees will be on vacation during nine days, between Oct. 12 and Oct. 20 and, of course, many of them arranged travels.