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TURKEY WAITS FOR FOUR MILLION RUSSIAN TOURISTS IN 2012
ITAR-TASS
March 18, 2012 Sunday 05:19 PM GMT+4
Russia
Turkey waits for four million Russian tourists in 2012 and develops
a new direction of tourism - religious tours, said Turkish Minister
of Tourism Ertugul Gunay in an exclusive interview with Itar-Tass
on Sunday.
He is now on a visit to Moscow.
"We expect around four million tourists from Russia in 2012,
which is the second place after Germany in the number of tourists
visiting Turkey, and we hope that Russia will preserve its position,"
he emphasized.
The minister also touched on an incident with poisoning Russians
with doctored alcohol in Bodrum. "We take utmost efforts to stiffen
control over strong beverages," Gunay noted. "I was gladdened by the
fact that Russian authorities correctly perceived our efforts. We
have no problems with the Russian side."
"I'd like to witness a rising number of Russian guests and that
Russians would come to us not only for holiday-making on beaches. We
take all efforts to create a possibility for tourists to visit our
country also with a view for religious and cultural tourism," the
minister added.
"Antalya remains the most popular direction for the time being,
but I know how educated Russians are. Taking into account the rich
cultural potential of Russia, I'd like Russians to frequent our
cultural sight-seeing places," Gunay continued.
"Turkey is now developing religious tourism," the minister noted. "We
have something to offer, for instance, the well-known Sumela Monastery
in Trabzon, which was already restored and opened for visits by
pilgrims; the Armenian church Akdamar in the Van province as well as
churches and mosques in Eastern Antalya.
"Besides, annual events are staged in the city of Demr, the native
place of St. Nicholas whom the entire world knows as Santa Claus."
Gunay said also of such "pearls" of Turkish historic heritage as St.
Sofia Cathedral and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul.
"Turkey has ten places which are already on the list of the UNESCO
world heritage," the minister went on to say. "Another 26 are claimants
to be put down on this list. All of them are open for visits."
In conclusion, Gunay praised Russian-Turkish cooperation in culture
and tourism as well as informed that during his Moscow visit, the
sides signed the Protocol on further cooperation in these spheres
between the two countries.
ITAR-TASS
March 18, 2012 Sunday 05:19 PM GMT+4
Russia
Turkey waits for four million Russian tourists in 2012 and develops
a new direction of tourism - religious tours, said Turkish Minister
of Tourism Ertugul Gunay in an exclusive interview with Itar-Tass
on Sunday.
He is now on a visit to Moscow.
"We expect around four million tourists from Russia in 2012,
which is the second place after Germany in the number of tourists
visiting Turkey, and we hope that Russia will preserve its position,"
he emphasized.
The minister also touched on an incident with poisoning Russians
with doctored alcohol in Bodrum. "We take utmost efforts to stiffen
control over strong beverages," Gunay noted. "I was gladdened by the
fact that Russian authorities correctly perceived our efforts. We
have no problems with the Russian side."
"I'd like to witness a rising number of Russian guests and that
Russians would come to us not only for holiday-making on beaches. We
take all efforts to create a possibility for tourists to visit our
country also with a view for religious and cultural tourism," the
minister added.
"Antalya remains the most popular direction for the time being,
but I know how educated Russians are. Taking into account the rich
cultural potential of Russia, I'd like Russians to frequent our
cultural sight-seeing places," Gunay continued.
"Turkey is now developing religious tourism," the minister noted. "We
have something to offer, for instance, the well-known Sumela Monastery
in Trabzon, which was already restored and opened for visits by
pilgrims; the Armenian church Akdamar in the Van province as well as
churches and mosques in Eastern Antalya.
"Besides, annual events are staged in the city of Demr, the native
place of St. Nicholas whom the entire world knows as Santa Claus."
Gunay said also of such "pearls" of Turkish historic heritage as St.
Sofia Cathedral and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul.
"Turkey has ten places which are already on the list of the UNESCO
world heritage," the minister went on to say. "Another 26 are claimants
to be put down on this list. All of them are open for visits."
In conclusion, Gunay praised Russian-Turkish cooperation in culture
and tourism as well as informed that during his Moscow visit, the
sides signed the Protocol on further cooperation in these spheres
between the two countries.