We will not allow opportunists in Bodrum: Tourism minister
ANTALYA - Anadolu Agency
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said on Aug. 23 they will not allow “opportunist caterers” in the southwestern resort district Bodrum of Muğla province, which attracts millions of tourists every year.
Ersoy cited a news reports that still water was priced at 10-15 Turkish Liras (approximately $1.60-2.50) while lahmacun was sold at 70 liras (approximately $11.6) in Bodrum.
“If one cannot establish the necessary infrastructure, education or system, then opportunists take advantage of this. That kills the future of tourism. We will not allow this from now on,” the minister told state-run Anadolu Agency.
Turkey’s tourism capacity has been at a standstill for a while due to unwanted incidents and a decrease in prices at the time, but those days have been left behind, said Ersoy.
The number of foreign tourists will continue increasing in upcoming seasons, yet the aim of the ministry is not to increase the number of tourists, but to increase income per capita on tourism, he said.
The average spending of foreign tourists visiting Turkey is about $670, but the country should aim to increase it $1,000, rather than to increase the number of tourists to over 40,000, according to Ersoy.
Turkey should strengthen human standards, quality and education in the tourism sector in order to attract high quality tourists, said the minister.
