TEHRAN - Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu and Islamic Culture and Guidance Minister Ahmad Masjed-Jamei of Iran have inaugurated the ''Turkish Tourism Days'' Fair in Iranian capital Tehran.
Holding a press conference prior to the inauguration, Mumcu who is currently paying an official visit to Iran as the guest of Jamei, said on Tuesday, ''we are aware of importance of communication with representatives of Iranian tourism sector in regard to setting up a bridge of communication with Iranian people.''
Mumcu said that his scheduled meeting with Jamei would focus on efforts to further improve tourism and cultural relations between Turkey and Iran.
''Jamei and I will sign a memorandum of understanding envisaging tourism co-operation between the two countries later in the day,'' he said.
Recalling that nearly 500 thousand Iranian tourists visited Turkey in 2003, Mumcu said, ''number of Iranian tourists visiting Turkey increased by 14.46 percent in 2003 over to the previous year. Meanwhile, number of Iranian tourists visiting Turkey in the first three months of 2004 rose 28 percent to 89 thousand.''
Mumcu added that 17 Turkish firms, which were members of the Union of Turkish Travel Agencies and Tourism Investors, had taken part in the fair.
(UK-AY) 27.04.2004