ANKARA - Turkey was ranked the first among the countries ''where tourism and travelling demand was expected to increase rapidly in the following decade'' and among the countries ''which were expected to increase their capital investment potential in the following ten years.''
A statement of the Tourism Ministry said on Thursday that the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) prepared a report covering the years between 2002 and 2012.
The statement noted that according to the report, Turkey was ranked the first among the countries for which travelling and tourism demand was expected to increase rapidly in the following decade with a rate of 10.2 percent.
India, China, Laos, Botswana, Mexico, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Nigeria followed Turkey in the same category, the statement pointed out.
The statement said that Turkey was also ranked the first among the countries which were expected to increase their capital investment potential rapidly in the following ten years with a rate of 10.4 percent.
Turkey was followed by Mexico, Malaysia, China, India, Libya, Indonesia, Thailand and Hungary in this list, the statement noted.
Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar said that despite the economic crisis in the world and the developments in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States, Turkey recorded the biggest growth in tourism sector in the world last year thanks to promotion and lobby activities.
Tasar noted that Turkey was placed at the first stage among the countries which would continue to mark growth in tourism in the following decade and stated that the report proved that reality.
''One of the most important activities that we have launched is to direct foreign investors to Turkey. This report will contribute to our efforts and activities and attract the attention of the world to Turkey. Thus, Turkey will gain more income from increasing tourism investments and tourism demand and will employ more people in this sector,'' Tasar added.