Turkish tourism sector eyes $36 billion income in 2015

KAYSERİ - Anadolu Agency

DHA Photo

Turkish tourism representatives expect to reach over $35 billion in this year’s annual income by hosting more than 42 million tourists, despite Europe’s economic problems and conflicts in neighboring countries, said Başaran Ulusoy, president of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

“The sector has been growing by 2-3 percent, despite the downfalls all around, including security concerns in Syria, Iraq and Libya as well as economic problems in the eurozone. Turkey will close the year with more than 42 million tourists and over $36 billion in yearly income, I believe,” he said in an interview with Anadolu Agency. 

He also said more than 8 million Turkish people go abroad for vacation and visit 78 countries. 

Ulusoy also addressed the winter tourism potentials of Turkey, referring to the Erciyes Skiing Center in the province of Kayseri. 

“We should evaluate such centers 365 days a year... Our aim is to enable these [newly built] facilities to attract tourists, both local and foreign, in summer as well as in winter,” he said. 

The number of tourists who visited Turkey reached an all-time high of around 37 million in 2014, pushing Turkey closer to Italy on the most visited destination chart.