ANKARA - Turkey and Spain signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation in tourism.
Speaking in the signature ceremony held in Turkish capital of Ankara, Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry Undersecretary Mustafa Isen said that Turkey wanted to improve good relations with Spain in almost every area.
Isen noted that tourism had an important place in Turkish and Spanish economies, and said that number of Spanish tourists visiting Turkey rose by 106 percent this year when compared with the previous year.
Pedro Mejia Gomez, Spanish Secretary of State of Tourism and Commerce, said that Spain earned 35 billion Euro income from tourism and hosted more than 50 million tourists last year.
Noting that Spain was ready to share its experience in tourism, Mejia Gomez stated that two countries could make use of their historical ties in area of tourism.
The MOU envisages developing existing touristic relations; enhancing touristic cooperation between Turkish and Spanish public and private sectors; exchanging information, experience, technical assistance and experts, participating in promotion activities in each other's territories; and forming a tourism cooperation commission.
(BRC-AÖ) 28.07.2004