ANKARA - Dr. Michael Frenzel, the president of a giant German tour operator, said the number of German tourists visiting Turkey would rise in 2008.
According to a story published in the economy pages of Turkish daily Vatan, Frenzel said German people felt themselves safe in Turkey and signaled that TUI's investments in Turkey would be on the rise in 2008.
TUI brought 2 million tourists to Turkey last year and owns Magic Life and Robinson Club facilities in Turkey.
"We will open new facilities in Turkey when we find local partners and good projects," Frenzel said.
On the other hand, Frenzel said Turkish Mediterranean coastal province of Antalya competed with Mallorca island of Spain -- one of the favorite destinations of the German people.
"Turkey can grow bigger in the long term when compared with Spain and some other countries that attract tourists," he also said.
Frenzel said Turkish tourist market was very promising.
Different activities like golf and sportive events boosted the tourist season in Antalya, Frenzel said.
"Therefore, there should be other alternatives and additional activities besides sea and sun tourism," he also said.
-5.5 MLN TOURISTS TO COME FROM GERMANY IN 2008-
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Faruk Sen, the chairman of the Turkish Studies Center (TAM) based in Germany, said 5.5 million German tourists were expected to visit Turkey in 2008.
"The number of German tourists visiting Turkey will reach 4.2 million by the end of this year," he also said.
Sen said 24 percent of the German people visited Turkey once or more than once in their lives.
"However, 76 percent of them have never been in Turkey. We should make them love and prefer Turkey," he also said.