Turkey Expects No Change in Russian Tourists Number

Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertugrul Gunay said Wednesday, despite the global financial crisis, he expects no change in the number of Russian tourists visiting Turkey in 2009 when compared to last year.

Gunay talked to reporters at a press conference he held at the Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (MITT).

"Relations between Turkey and Russia continue to grow in all fields. Touristic, historical and cultural relations with Russia are developing in a positive direction," Gunay said.

Reminding journalists that the year 2007 in Turkey was celebrated as the "Russian Cultural Year" and the year 2008 in Russia was celebrated as the "Turkish Cultural Year", Gunay introduced Turkish novelist Resat Nuri Guntekin's books "Calikusu" (The Wren) and "Yaprak Dokumu" (The Fall of Leaves) that were translated into Russian language.

"26,300,000 tourists visited Turkey in 2008. 2,800,000 of these tourists came from Russia. We plan to welcome more Russian tourists in the years to come," Gunay said.

"We want to make Turkey a country in which the Russians feel at home. In this direction, we are in full cooperation with the private sector. Our private sector has made Turkey the most favorite destination in the Mediterranean region," Gunay noted.

"We want to make Turkey a touristic destination 12 months a year. We are working on congress, golf, faith, health, thermal and cultural tourism. We will host 500 Russian journalists in southern province of Antalya to inform them on diverse attractions Turkey offers to tourists," Gunay said.

"The World Tourism Organization (WTO) has declared Turkey the fastest growing country in tourism in 2008. We want to maintain Turkey's growth pace in tourism," Gunay said.

"The Turkish government has allocated a budget of 10 million USD and the private sector 50 million USD to promote Turkish tourism in Russia," Gunay also said.

Minister Gunay introduced Turkish popstar Hadise as "Princess Hadise who will represent Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest in May in Moscow" during his press conference.

Following the press conference, Gunay proceeded to the Metropol Hotel where a function took place to promote Turkey.

Source: www.worldbulletin.net