Konya's Mevlana Museum Draws Over 1.1 Million Visitors Through October

The Mevlana Museum in Konya, central Türkiye, welcomed more than 1.1 million domestic and international visitors between January and October 2006, according to museum curator Erdogan Erol.

Erol noted that visitor numbers have grown considerably in recent years, with 2005 setting an all-time record at 1,392,710 arrivals, edging out the 2004 total of 1,389,500.

Although the 2006 figure trails last year's record pace, museum officials are optimistic. A Mevlana commemoration program scheduled for 1-17 December is expected to bring in at least 100,000 additional visitors.

Erol also highlighted a shift in the museum's visitor profile: where guests once came predominantly from a handful of countries, the museum now draws people from a wide range of nations worldwide.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.