Ephesus’ annual revenue increases

İZMİR - Anatolia News Agency

İzmir’s world known ancient city, Ephesus, drew the highest number of visitors in 2012. About 1.89 million visitors strolled through the streets of city. DHA Photo

A rich history drew nearly two million visitors to the ancient city of Ephesus in 2012 and helped the historically famous local pull in annual revenue of nearly 10 million Turkish Liras. According to official data, about 1.89 million visitors strolled through the streets of Ephesus this last year.

According to information provided by the İzmir Cultural and Provincial Directorate, İzmir’s museums and ancient sites were visited by 3.26 million people between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 in 2012. Ephesus tops the list of popular places as it drew the most people.

The ancient city was followed by St. Jean Monument with 297,524 visitors, Acropolis in Bergama with 274,300 visitors and the Ephesus Museum with 229,470 visitors. Also, the Yamaç Houses in Ephesus’ ancient city received 153,074 people in the same period.

These places drew the highest number of visitors in August, September and October and the least number of visitors in January and December when snow and colder temperatures likely kept people away.
 
The Ephesus ancient city was one that brought the highest income to the province. Its visitors paid about 9.34 million liras throughout the year. As a result, the income of the museums and ancient sites affiliated with the İzmir Cultural and Provincial Directorate, which was around 12.28 million in 2011, increased to 13.83 in 2012 with an increase of 12.7 percent.