30 July 2009

Unlike many other destinations, tourism is up here

Turkey can "proudly say something" that almost no other major European
destination can: travelers from the United States, despite the recession and its effect on the travel industry, are up so far this year over last, says Hasan Zöngür, Director of Destination Turkey

"For the period of January 1 through April 30, 2009, Turkey welcomed 106,903 American tourists; during the same period in 2008, 104,374 Americans visited Turkey. The uptick is an increase of 2.42 percent," he said.

The increase in popularity means that spring 2009 was an opportune time to launch "Unlimited Turkey," the destination’s new tourism campaign.

Advertisements in magazines, television, billboards and other outlets started April 1.

Attractions of that country range from upscale experiences in Istanbul to millennia-old ruins and natural wonders, he said.

Recent events include:

The opening of the Mardan Palace in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya which at $1.4 billion is the most extravagant hotel in Europe and among Turkey’s most luxurious. It has 100,000 square feet of gold trim to give it the "Midas touch."

The government owned Turkish Airlines is another success story with a 12.2 percent passenger growth in a recent month. The airline has ordered 17 new planes and plans to buy 105 other aircraft over the next three years.

Tourism officials say Turkey has the broadest array of ancient ruins in the world, including the Hippodrome chariot racetrack. It was also the site of the Trojan War and many visitors tody take in the ruins of Troy.

by David Wilkening

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• What is it about TURKEY?
  
  

  One thing sure is Turkey has some of the most sophisticated travel marketing people anywhere. The product delivery is also by people who know what they are doing and care about it as well. Turkey can take great credit accordingly for it's success. As to product however it would be good if the very heavy christian antiquity throughout the land be given proper identity as most all of it came from the period Armenia actually spanned what is now Turkey. The fact this is generally not a thrill for Turkey to capitolize on is unfortunate but their neighbours are about as much their success as not.

  By Robert George, Tuesday, August 4, 2009