Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay opened the Turkish stand at the fair, which was witnessed by German Minister of Economy and Technology Rainer Bruederle.
Sharing his predictions about the performance of the Turkish tourism sector this year, Günay noted that it was closely related to global developments. “If we see positive development in the global arena, I believe the number of tourists visiting Turkey might be up to 30 million by the end of this year,” he said. The minister also stressed that the recovering global economy, along with specific factors such as Istanbul’s title as a 2010 European Capital of Culture and the ongoing Japan Year 2010 in Turkey, are likely to assist in achieving this target.
Günay said their aim is to promote not only Turkey’s coasts but also its historic and cultural beauties, wellness facilities and golf courses in a bid to increase the revenue from tourism activities.Turkey is promoting two historic artifacts in this year’s ITB, an angel image from the Hagia Sophia and the head of a statue of Augustus unearthed in excavations near Pamukkale (Hieropolis). With more than 180,000 visitors, including 108,000 trade visitors, and over 10,000 exhibitors from 180 countries, ITB Berlin will be open from March 10 to 14.
