[**claire**]

Europe's largest tourism company, TUI, announced on Saturday that Turkey will be one of the most attractive locations for tourism this year. TUI stated that Spain would witness the highest demand in tourism this year, followed by Turkey. The company noted that tourism is expected to grow by 5.3 percent in Europe this year and that the role of Spain and Turkey will be significant in this increase.

According to the company's 2004-2005 tourism season report, a boom in demand will be observed in the Turkish tourism sector as the country will attract 15 percent more tourists in 2005 compared to 2004. In terms of a rise in demand, Turkey will be followed by Portugal, Tunisia and Morocco. Meanwhile, Culture and Tourism Minister Atilla Koç, on his visit to Berlin, said: “We had a successful year in tourism in 2004. 17.5 million tourists came to our country and brought with them $15.9 billion in tourism revenue. In light of research, it seems possible that Turkey will be visited by 30 million tourists this year,” he said.

[Mella]

Thats great but I really hope it doesn't turn into a mini Spain

[x0x_JoAnNe_x0x]

i know true mella and then all the prices will increase and it'll change i love turkey cause it's so original! xxx

[Mella]

Originally Posted by x0x_JoAnNe_x0x

i know true mella and then all the prices will increase and it'll change i love turkey cause it's so original! xxx

I know, thats precisely why I love it. I used to goto Spain 2 or 3 times a year for the last 15 years..But now I refuse to go. I just find it is too busy and way too built up compared to how it used to be. And worst of all it is too English. I like seeing the countries culture and way of life, not English pubs, restaurants, food, music ect. everywhere and I love Turkey because it is different and not so built up. The Turkish people are so lovely, and the Spanish used to be..but after years and years and years of tourists flocking into their country they have actually become less friendly imo.

Everything is just perfect exactly how it is now in Turkey, but in a few+ years I can invision it will end up exactly like Spain.




[/rant]

[Vladimir]

Turkish people used to be even friendlier in the older days when you look to the very big cities. (Like Istanbul/Ankara)
Anyway I think this is "lie". Last year they said the same, while I talked to many people from restaurants and bars. They said it was not so very "crowdy" or it must depend on Kusidasi off course

I also wouldn't like Turkey turning into Spain. I enjoy visiting Turkish restaurants (with almost no foreigners) and Turkish bars without only popmusic I can hear at home. I wouldn't mind hearing some more "Turkish" pop music in the bar street, but tourists aren't used to that.
If I look to the restaurants people visit here, I notice it are a lot of the "big" ones without a real "Turkish" flavour.

[x0x_JoAnNe_x0x]

it could be on the path to that coz the house sales in turkey are higher than spain for people moving there or buying holiday homes! i have never wanted to go spain it just doesnt sound exciting and its just too english and u sed its not exotic or anything!
but one thing about turkey that drives ppl away is that a lot of english people dont trust turks they believe they only want visas and this is not true with a lot of turkish people and this small majority should not wreck the reputation for the other people xxx

[Vladimir]

Well it's getting better a bit in Turkey, so less people want visas. This also depends on the region and this is built on prejudices.

[x0x_JoAnNe_x0x]

yeh i agree and i do not like it when people believe this its just accusations xxxx

[Croushy]

Very interestin post, claire!!! i i dont doubt about that. From 2001 to 2003, tourizmin Turkey had lots of problems becoz of Iraks war, earthquakes.... Last year, i never saw so much people in my hotel in may!! i was glad... cant wait!!!