ANTALYA-LONDON (AA) - The tourism sector in Turkey is on the rise and there is a visible development in the sector, says Martin Brackenburry, the British Chairman of the International Federation of Tour Operators (IFTO).
IFTO Chairman Brackenburry said on Wednesday that Turkey which targeted to host 20 million tourists in 2005, was playing a significant role in world tourism sector.
Stressing that European Union (EU) countries were expensive for tourists, Brackenburry said that ''European tourists prefer going to Turkey, Bulgaria, Tunisia and Egypt for holiday rather than Italy and Spain as they are cheaper.''
IFTO Chairman also praised the new and modern hotels in Turkey, but also pointed out to the necessity of making tourism investments outside the hotels. ''The view saying that tourists don't go out (from the hotels where they stay) due to the 'all inclusive system' in the hotels is wrong... Tourists want to sight-see and do shopping. If tourists visit historical sites and wander in nature in Turkey, Turkey will gain more from tourism.''
Meanwhile, tourism office of Turkish Embassy in London announced that there was a 65 percent increase in the number of British tourists' bookings in Turkish hotels in April 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004. Marmaris is still the most favorite tourist area in Turkey for British tourists, the office noted.
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2005-05-18