The Turkish tourism sector, notwithstanding the economic turmoil, is all set to enjoy an increase in foreign arrivals this year.
The global financial meltdown along with H1N1 epidemic, which completely rocked the previous year (2009) to the core, severely hit the tourism sector across the globe because of the notion that traveling for enjoyment is considered as an extravagance, not a necessity. However, even in such a gloomy year, the number of tourists visiting Turkey maintained the positive growth trend.
According to the report released by Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry, despite the global economic turmoil, the Turkish tourism sector grew by 2.81% in 2009, reported
TURKISH WEEKLY.
During January-December 2009, Turkey welcomed more than 27 Million overseas tourists. Among them, around 4.5 Million were German tourists. Russia stood second by sending in 2.6 Million tourists, followed by Britain at 2.4 Million visitors.
Furthermore, Turkey welcomed nearly 1.2 Million tourist arrivals in December 2009, up 12.4% from 1.1 Million in December 2008.
Turkey has been offering a range of travel options to the passengers, with all-inclusive holiday packages in particular, which are now becoming a trend among tourists, thereby propelling growth into the country’s tourism sector. Also, as the recession led to declining purchasing powers, people are now becoming more cautious of spending huge bucks on travelling and are shifting to affordable and cheaper alternatives.
Also, as Turkey is not in the euro-zone (the zone which has experienced the most severe aftereffects of recession), it has been able to record positive growth in tourist arrivals.
According to “
Turkey Tourism Industry Forecast to 2012”, a
RNCOS market research report, recognizing the growth of the Turkish tourism sector, more and more global hospitality chains are intending to penetrate the country. Recently, Hilton Hotels Corporation proclaimed that it will build up new properties in Turkey’s key regional locations.
According to a Research Analyst at
RNCOS, “The tourism sector in Turkey is poised to witness even better figures in 2010. Increase in the number of tourist arrivals will be driven by factors like 2010 FIFA World Championship to be held in Istanbul during August 28 to September 12 (2010) that is expected to draw significant number of visitors to Turkey. This, in turn, will support several other industries related to the tourism industry, like hospitality, transportation and aviation.”
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