Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that they hosted more than 4,5 million German visitors in Turkey in the January-September period and said, “With this figure, Germany ranks first with a rate of 13,1% among the countries sending the most visitors to Turkey.” said.
Ersoy, in his speech at the opening of the “FVW Travel Talk Congress” held in Antalya with the participation of 500 representatives from the German tourism sector in the Kundu facilities region, said that Germany is one of the countries with which Turkey has the most deep-rooted relations in Europe.
Pointing out that Germany is also one of the most important tourism markets, Ersoy noted that all collaborations with business partners in this country resulted in significant gains for both sides.
Minister Ersoy stated that this meeting with tour operators will be similarly productive and positive.
Emphasizing that German visitors did not lose the first place to other countries when looking at the nine-month figures of the year, Ersoy continued as follows:
“In the January-September period, we hosted more than 4,5 million German visitors in our country. With this figure, Germany ranks first with 13,1% in the ranking of the countries sending the most visitors to Turkey. These successes are not accidental. As the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, we undertake multifaceted projects to reveal the tourism potential of our country in the best way, to protect the future of our historical values and nature by creating a 'sustainable tourism model', and to promote our destinations on the international stage in the best way possible.
Ersoy stated that the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), which they launched in 2019 as part of these efforts, promoted Turkey in more than 200 countries, including Germany, with its flexible structure, fast decision-making and implementation capability and expert staff.
Noting that 10 promotional films are currently broadcasting on digital, global or national television channels in 200 countries, Ersoy said, “TGA also carries out extensive work in the PR field. Since 2022, we have hosted nearly 79 people in our country, including press members, opinion leaders and tour operators from 4 countries. We aim to increase this number to 500 by the end of the year.” he said.
Ersoy emphasized that this year, by hosting 756 people from Germany, consisting of press members, opinion leaders and tour operators, they provided the opportunity to experience different destinations in Turkey.
Stating that GoTürkiye portal, one of the most successful digital platforms in the world, promotes every privilege, originality and value of the country in the field of culture and tourism to the whole world in 104 sub-brands and destinations, which are constantly updated, under nearly 3 thousand titles, Ersoy said that GoTürkiye has received 125 million visitors since the beginning of the year. he said he received.
Turkey is also at the forefront in gastronomy tourism
Noting that GoTürkiye's Instagram page is the third country with the highest number of followers with more than 2 million followers, Ersoy continued his words as follows:
“When it comes to the tourism sector, Turkey is a country where you can't limit the concept only to the sea, sand and sun, and has enough richness and diversity to guide world tourism. Istanbul, which hosts a unique cultural heritage and is one of the most dynamic metropolises in the world today, joined the Michelin guide last month. At the ceremony organized by Michelin in Istanbul on October 11, 4 of our restaurants were awarded 1 Michelin star and one of our restaurants was awarded 2 stars. In addition, a total of 53 of our restaurants are among the recommended restaurants in the Michelin guide. This interest shown by the Michelin guide to Istanbul is proof that Turkey is also at the forefront of gastronomy tourism.”
Pointing out that Turkey has taken the success of the Safe Tourism Certificate one step further as of next year through its cooperation with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Ersoy explained that they have collaborated with GSTC as “the first government to develop a national program” in the field of sustainable tourism.
Pointing out that the “Safe Tourism Certificate” will continue as a “Safe and Sustainable Tourism Program” within the scope of the protocol they signed, Ersoy said, “The facilities within the scope of the program will be subject to independent evaluation. It will be certified by independent audit firms that operate in international standards and have proven their competence in the field. Certificates will be issued annually and facilities will be able to re-inspect and renew their certificates once a year.” used his statements.
Minister Ersoy stated that the inspections were carried out based on 42 criteria and that the program was designed in 3 stages to provide ease of transition to the facilities, and said, “Until now, there are 61 facilities in Turkey that have passed the preliminary inspections and met all the criteria and have been awarded the Green Tourism Certificate. 43 of these facilities are located in Antalya.” gave the information.
Noting that as of January 1, they have brought the condition of meeting the first stage criteria for the new accommodation facilities to be opened, Ersoy said that the existing facilities will also meet the first stage criteria by the end of 2023.
Underlining that Turkey has made its name in the first place in archeology tourism, Ersoy said:
“Turkey, which has carried out the most intensive and qualified archaeological studies in the world, became the first in the world by carrying out excavations at 2021 points in 670. The project, which we implemented in the vicinity of Şanlıurfa under the name Taş Tepeler, has become a study closely followed by the world archeology circles, with its groundbreaking data on the Neolithic Age. On the 100th anniversary of our Republic, in 2023, we will organize the 'World Neolithic Congress' in Şanlıurfa and we will announce the latest information about Taş Tepeler to the whole world.”
“Turkey tourism will continue on its way with records”
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that they also attach importance to cruise tourism and reminded that Galataport, which they opened in Istanbul last year, has become one of the most admired cruise ports in the world in a short time.
Noting that they plan to place Istanbul in the first place among cruise destinations in Europe in the coming years, Ersoy continued as follows:
“By the end of the year, it is among our goals to hold a tender for a new port that will meet the demand that Istanbul sees in cruise lines. We will continue our efforts to make Istanbul the new 'homeport' of Europe without slowing down. Istanbul Airport is among the best airports in the world with direct flights to 330 cities. Efforts are also underway to double the capacity of Antalya Airport.”
Stating that Turkish tourism will continue on its way with records from now on, Ersoy said, “We continue on our way with the target of 50 million tourists and 44 billion dollars until the end of the year. Undoubtedly, the cooperation that we have made with you, the valuable stakeholders of the German tourism sector, and which we will realize in the future, has a great role in this success.” used the phrase.
Ersoy thanked the participants for their contribution to the promotion of Turkish tourism in Germany.
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