According to news from the Association of Travel Agencies (TURSAB), Turkey expects to greet more than 38 million tourists this year. The chairman of the association, Basaran Ulusoy, also assured reporters of Turkey’s readiness for the summer season to begin.
“We note positive developments in the Russian and Ukrainian markets. In addition, we have no questions for markets in the UK and the Middle East positively, but there are problems with Europe, and we’re trying to solve.”
From previous news, Turkey has said it intends to take 5 million Russian tourists this season, a figure way up from the previous two years. Incentives for airlines with charter flights from Russian tourism companies were also announced. According to officials, for every aircraft carrying 100 tourists, the airline will be paid additional amounts up to $6 thousand If the aircraft 150 or more passengers, or a subsidy of $7850.
By the end of 2016, the country welcomed 25 million foreign tourists, which is 35% lower than last year. This year Turkey plans to come in at third place according to the flow of tourists worldwide, a number set by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.