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TURKISH TOURISM INDUSTRY
TODAY |
Over the last two
decades Turkey has made considerable investments on infra and super
structure. This also includes transport infrastructure such as improvement,
modernisation of airports and air terminals as well as construction of new
ones. In addition to the international airports in the main cities and
resort destinations, Turkey has domestic flights to all major cities and
tourist centres. The highways crisscrossing the entire country; regular
comfortable bus services and coach tours make travelling in Turkey easy and
enjoyable. The transport infrastructure and the efficiency of services as
well as advanced communication network system meet all the requirements of
contemporary tourism.
The accommodation
industry at present, includes a range of facilities from the top quality,
super modern deluxe category hotels and holiday complexes, boutique hotels
to the affordable ones. Although city hotels, summer resort hotels and
holiday complexes constitute the greater part of the accommodation industry,
there are numerous ski, winter resort and spa hotels in various parts of the
country. Most high standard hotels and holiday complexes have a variety of
recreation, entertainment facilities. There are also a number of golf
courses of international standard in various parts of the country.
Turkey is a yachting
paradise. Istanbul, and all main resort centres on the Aegean and
Mediterranean coasts have marinas and the necessary facilities required.
There is a major plan to increase the capacity to meet the growing demand as
there is still a tremendous development potential for yacht tourism.
Turkey has been
recognised as a country of international reputation for hosting the most
important meetings and conventions of the world. In addition to the top
quality convention centres of huge capacity, equipped with advanced
technology; most high grade hotels also have facilities for events such as
meetings and conventions.
Lures of the major
cities and resort centres; world famous Turkish cuisine as well as
international ones, restaurants, bars, entertainment life, cultural
activities can appeal to tourists from all over the world.
To sum up, Turkey at
present with its enormous tourism potential and a great diversity of its
natural resources, historical treasures, cultural values and activities,
life style, attractions and with its efficient, dynamic tourist industry
offers wide selection of products that can satisfy the demand of different
market segments including the most sophisticated and demanding traveller.
Tourists are flocking
to Turkey in increasing numbers. Records continue. The year 2002 has also
seen a new record taking the annual tourist arrivals to over 13 million in
spite of the situation in the world travel and tourism market. However
Turkey’s share in culture, nature based, special interest tourism, yachting;
cruising, meetings and incentive tourism market segments do not match its
enormous potential of great diversity and what it really offers. It falls
well short of what it should have been. There is in fact a huge development
potential for Turkey to increase its share in various market segments, and
to further diversify its tourism.
There is a consensus of
opinion supported by research findings, that the Turkish tourism will
continue to grow at a higher rate than the European and the world average
and the future prospects in the long term seem also to be very bright.
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NUMBER OF TURKISH TRAVEL AGENCIES BY YEARS |
|
YEARS |
NUMBER OF TRAVEL AGENCIES |
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1973 |
118 |
|
1983 |
379 |
|
1993 |
1737 |
|
1998 |
4200 |
|
1999 |
4350 |
|
2002 |
4472 |
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ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES LICENSED BY THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM |
|
YEARS |
BEDS |
ESTABLISHMENTS |
|
1983 |
65,934 |
611 |
|
1993 |
235,238 |
1581 |
|
1997 |
313,298 |
1933 |
|
1998 |
314,215 |
1954 |
|
2001 |
364,779 |
1980 |
|
2003 |
420,697 |
2240 |
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FLEET OF TURKISH FLAG CARRIERS |
|
YEARS |
SEATS |
PLANES |
|
1992 |
12,839 |
80 |
|
1995 |
19,479 |
114 |
|
1998 |
21,500 |
134 |
|
2002 |
19,564 |
108 |
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