Turkish Tourism in 7.7% Year-on-Year Increase in January

Turkish tourism has gotten off to a strong start in 2010, with a 7.7% year-on-year increase recorded in January. According to data released today by the country's Culture and Tourism Ministry, 809,974 foreigners visited Turkey in January.

The ministry said tourists mostly came from neighbouring countries, adding that the most common visitors to the country were Germans, Iranians, Bulgarians, Georgians, Syrians, Russians, Greeks, Azerbaijanis, the British and the French.

"The removal of visa procedures between several countries and Turkey has had a positive impact on tourism," the ministry said.

Following Turkey's recent diplomatic initiatives and its "zero problem with neighbours" policy, the number of countries lifting visa requirements on Turkey has risen to 55 with the recent addition of Syria, Libya, Lebanon and Jordan.

Over 27 million tourists visited Turkey in 2009 and the country expects to host more than 28 million tourists in 2010. The 2009 figure represents only a slight backwards step on 2009's figure of 28m300k, compared to the major collapse of tourism recorded in many nations, this in itself is an achievement and a massive testament to Turkey's growth into a tourism hotspot.

According to UK based Turkish property agent Spot Blue, the visa-free agreements have stepped into bolster tourism growth at just the right time, with the euro currently weakening against the pound. Director of the firm Julian Walker said:

"Tourism to Turkey continued to do so well throughout 2009 because the strength of the euro made it an affordable alternative to Europe's traditional favourites. With the euro currently weakening this effect will be expected to weaken slightly in the next 6 months. Hopefully the effect of the wave of visa-free agreements will prevent it from being felt."

"Meanwhile the increased visitors that both have and are bringing into Turkey will cause future growth, because word of mouth is one of Turkey's best marketing arms," he added.

Spot Blue is currently marketing property in Turkey priced from as little as £25,000.

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