Despite the global economic downturn, Turkey’s tourism officials are betting on a good year in 2009. Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay said recently that Turkey can use the current situation to its advantage with low prices, great destinations and good promotions. The ministry expects an increase of 10 percent in 2009 over an estimated 26 million visitors for all of 2008.
“Despite the crisis, people all around the world will continue to visit tourist destinations and European tourists in particular are likely to prefer closer destinations, like Turkey, instead of remote places, such as the Far East, China and Japan,” he said.
“Turkey can turn the crisis into an opportunity if it promotes itself well internationally and adopts a reasonable price policy.”
The minister noted that Turkey has a number of advantages over many other rival destinations, such as its remarkable diversity. Popular Turkish destinations include Istanbul, Antalya and Cappadocia. The Turkish coastline is long, beautiful and not nearly as crowded or expensive as many others in Europe, and the Taurus Mountains rise off the southern coast in spectacular fashion.
In addition to the benefits for tourism that 2009 will bring, property prices continue to remain low. Turkish real estate investors and buyers can find many great deals in historic and beautiful parts of the country.
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