“From now on, we will increase the number every year. We are in the super league now. Last year we were fifth in the world, this year we will probably finish fourth. Our goal is to be among the top 3” – “We are now growing rapidly in the Chinese market. So is the South Korean market. The numbers we’ve been waiting for are coming. Last year we received around 280 thousand visitors. “We will approach 600 thousand this year.”
ISTANBUL (AA) – Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy made statements on Habertürk TV regarding tourism revenues, Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci Train Station projects.
Answering the questions of Habertürk TV Editor-in-Chief Mehmet Akif Ersoy in the live broadcast, Ersoy said that despite all the crises and wars, Turkey receives visitors from all over the world.
Ersoy emphasized that the most important factor in the tourism sector is the per capita nightly expenditure and stated that they will achieve the tourism income target of 60 billion dollars by the end of the year.
– “We will exceed 1.5 million tourists from the USA this year”
Stating that more than 1 million tourists from the USA came to Turkey last year, Ersoy said, “We will hopefully exceed 1.5 million this year. Even the US Embassy did not expect this figure. We are making serious promotional plans together with Turkish Airlines. We have been working intensively with CNN International for 4 years. We are now growing rapidly in the Chinese market. So is the South Korean market. The numbers we’ve been waiting for are coming. Last year we received around 280 thousand visitors. We will approach 600 thousand this year.” he said.
Talking about the structure and activities of the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), Ersoy said that Turkey was promoted on national television in 38 countries this year, that they carried out 179 campaigns with tour operators and airline companies from 39 countries, and that they also cooperated in 30 countries with 15 digital travel channels. He explained what they provided.
Ersoy stated that they promoted 20 destinations, themes and product brands and said, “ We were only associated with Antalya, but now we also highlight the Aegean. We are working separately on Eastern Anatolia. The Black Sea is a separate destination for us.. Türkiye is already an unrivaled country in terms of cultural assets. Cappadocia is already on its own. “We have the advantage of spreading the tourism season over 12 months.” he said.
– “We are in the super league now”
Pointing out that they have a target of 64 billion dollars next year, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said, “From now on, we will increase the figure every year. We are in the super league now. Last year we were fifth in the world, this year we will probably finish fourth. Our goal is to be in the top 3. We need to work harder. We need to catch 80 million visitors. The most difficult thing we have is managing perception in politics. “Those who cannot produce work are usually very adept at producing perception.” he said.
Pointing out the importance of tourism in terms of the country’s income, Ersoy said that racist discourses should not be made against Arabs by believing social media discourses and said, “Everyone needs to learn that tourists are an economic value from their own perspective. Tourists are your best ambassadors (for world recognition).” he said.
– “We are trying to create an environment that will host events like the Venice Biennale”
Minister Ersoy also gave information about the Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci Train Station projects and said:
“There is a public garden in Rami Barracks. It’s not just a library. Such event areas should also be built in Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci. We are not disrupting the train station feature of the area anyway. There will be train entrances and exits and the State Railways will operate it. Apart from that, there will be exhibition areas such as the Rami Library on other floors. There is a very large archaeopark excavation there and the excavations continue. That place will be protected and next to it Kalkhedon Archaeological Museumwill be established. We will build a Performing Arts Center next to it. There will be a private public garden in the middle, just like the one in Rami Barracks. “We are trying to create an environment here that will host events like the Venice Biennale.”
Regarding Sirkeci Train Station, Ersoy said:“There will also be a train in Sirkeci. Nostalgic train operation between Kazlıçeşme and Sirkeci will continue. We will protect that line and organize the square. Areas for cultural and artistic activities will be built. We will connect Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci Train Station by sea. These are a project in several stages. We want to complete the first phase of Sirkeci and Haydarpaşa in time for the Istanbul Culture Road Festival in October 2026. As you know, Sirkeci Train Station is the starting point of our workers who first went to Europe. In this regard, part of the station is also Immigration Museumwill be.” he said.
Ersoy, They also spread the archaeological excavations over 12 months.He stated that large areas were excavated and added that many important artifacts were unearthed.
