| As Turkey's attempts to join
the European Union are met with resistance by some Europeans, its leaders
are planning to strengthen the country's image by increasing the promotion
of tourism in 2006. Although Turkey is already popular with European
visitors (out of the 22 million visitors to Turkey in 2005, 12 million were
Europeans), Americans have been slower in their eagerness to visit (more
than 334,000 visitors in 2005). However, Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism reports approximately 555,000 Americans are expected to visit the country in 2006, and it's not hard to imagine the numbers will climb in the years to come. Turkey's location gives it a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences making it appealing to tourists. It is home to no less than nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, the cavetowns of Cappodocia and the archeological site of Troy. To meet the increased demand from tourists, a new international airport terminal is being planned, along with 10 new resorts in key tourist areas. If you decide to visit Turkey, it's smart to strike while the iron is hot. Because tourism is just now beginning to significantly increase, you're still likely to find relatively inexpensive in-country rates for accommodations and activities. However, it's conceivable that Turkey's relatively undiscovered status will be fleeting, and the country will experience an increase in both tourism and prices.
Published in
USA Today, By Jessica Labrencis
|
If you'd like to share your thoughts with
us or have a question please click