STORY: Türkiye aims for top 3 global travel destination status by 2028   
SHOOTING TIME: June 7, 2024
DATELINE: June 8, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:38
LOCATION: Ankara
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of tourists in Türkiye
2. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): KAAN SAHINALP, Türkiye representative of German travel company TUI

STORYLINE:

Following a successful year in 2023, Türkiye is targeting a position among the world's top three travel destinations by 2028, industry officials said.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced in May that Türkiye aims to attract 80 million foreign tourists annually within the next four years, aspiring to become one of the top three foreign tourist destinations globally. Currently, Türkiye ranks fourth.

Türkiye's ambitious tourism plans are crucial for its economy, which relies heavily on tourism revenue. The nation welcomes millions of foreign visitors each year, providing vital income amid significant economic challenges.

"This goal is attainable, but Türkiye has work to do," said Kaan Sahinalp, Türkiye representative of German travel company TUI, in an interview with Xinhua in Ankara. To achieve this, Türkiye needs to diversify its tourism offerings, showcasing its rich culture and gastronomy beyond its coastal attractions, he said.

SOUNDBITE (Turkish): KAAN SAHINALP, Türkiye representative of German travel company TUI
"According to our data and reservations, 2024 will be better than 2023. This goal is not a dream, but Türkiye has homework to do to achieve it. There are many alternatives about sun-sea-beach tourism worldwide. Türkiye needs to ensure that the price-quality ratio is respected and move towards sustainability in tourism. State and private stakeholders should act jointly for a common goal. Gastronomy is also very important, Türkiye stands at a different level in gastronomy and should invest in this sector with a common sense of different stakeholders. Therefore, Türkiye needs to focus on culture tourism and city tourism. We have to ensure that it becomes professional work to achieve sustainability."

In 2023, Türkiye's tourism sector saw a record 49.2 million foreign arrivals, up from 44.6 million in 2022, generating over 54 billion U.S. dollars. The government expects arrivals to reach 60 million this year, with 60 billion dollars in revenues. By 2028, Ankara aims for 80 million foreign tourists and 100 billion dollars.

However, recent photos taken by European tourists at Turkish resorts showing steep restaurant or bar bills made headlines in local media. While price increase is not something unusual in a country where annual inflation soars over 70 percent, Sahinalp warned against exorbitant price hikes that could harm tourism in the country.

"Türkiye must avoid arbitrary price increases. Tourists will not appreciate paying more in Türkiye for the same services they can get cheaper elsewhere," he said.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.
(XHTV)