Turkish tourism ministry announces new support package to overcome losses

Umut Erdem - ANKARA

DHA photo

Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry has revealed a new support program to overcome sector losses mainly due to economic problems in Russia and neighboring countries. 

The ministry will offer financial support to travel agencies carrying tourists from 13 countries, such as Russia, Iran and Ukraine, through charter airlines. The agencies will take $6,000 grants for each flight, said the ministry in a statement issued to travel agencies. 

“Our ministry has decided to offer support to travel agencies with the A Group certificate, which carry tourists through charter flights, in order to prevent any further flight and reservation cancelations and to slash any further negative effects on the sector due to economic problems in Russia,” said the statement. 

The support package covers 13 countries in total; Azerbaijan, Moldova, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Iran. The ministry also said several airports will be under the support package’s coverage, including airports in Gazipaşa-Alanya, Antalya, Dalaman, Bodrum and İzmir. 

Travel agencies need to submit their proposals and the required documents to become qualified for the support, which lasts until Nov. 30, according to the statement. 

“The A Group travel agencies that make charter flights carrying at least 100 passengers from the aforementioned countries to the aforementioned airports … will benefit from the support,” said the statement.