Turkey to increase Russian tourist arrivals by 1 million people

The Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey Mr. Cumhur Guven Tashbashy during the speech at the Intourmarket trade fair press-conference in Moscow expressed his quite optimistic expectations. According to the official statistics, over 3.1 million (Rosstat’s data show 2.4 million) Russians visited Turkey in 2010, that is 18% more compared to 2009. The first two months of this year brought 30% increase in Russian tourist arrivals, Antalya in particular saw 110% more Russians for the same period. These facts allow Turkish authorities to expect new records this summer season.

Mr. Tashbashy forecasts 30% growth in the number of tourist arrivals from Russia, this means another million visitors. The volume of early hotel bookings for the upcoming summer season has already increased by 30% compared to previous year.

The Deputy Minister assured the press that there was no way Turkey would abandon “all-inclusive” system. “The word has been spread, but this is only rumors. We believe that someone is doing it on purpose. All-inclusive is the essential part of our tourism industry, there is no need to put it away. But with that we wish to develop alternative kinds of tourism” – said Mr. Tashbashy.

Turkey’s promotion budget for Russia and Belorussia amounts to $7 million this year, but it may be increased by another 20%. As a comparison the budget of Germany for adjacent European countries is $9 million. Besides, next year Turkey’s Tourism Ministry plans to open second representative office – this time in Saint Petersburg.

The country’s aim for the years ahead is to promote not so well-known regions on the Russian market. “The Russians prefer Antalya followed by Istanbul, Bodrum and Marmaris. We want tourists to know that Turkey is not just the sea and the sun but also has historical towns, cultural, sport and medical tourism” – said the Deputy Minister. He added that the Governors of four Turkish regions that were looking forward to welcoming Russian tourists attended Intourmarket and MITT trade fairs.