Tourism 'is important to Turkey's economy'

A government official has hailed the tourism sector's contribution to the Turkish economy.

According to Ismet Yilmaz, undersecretary of the country's tourism and culture ministry, the holiday industry is the single biggest generator of wealth in Turkey.

However, he has stated that if it wishes to sustain a high rate of growth, the sector needs to broaden the appeal of the nation to foreign consumers.

He was quoted by the Turkish Daily News as saying that it currently relies on sun, sea and sand tourism.

Mr Yilmaz believes that other markets also have the potential to be exploited, thereby fuelling further growth in the sector.

"Conference, health and winter tourism as well as faith, sports and ecotourism should become widespread in Turkey to create diversification," he commented.

Ahmet Barut, chairman of the Turkish Hotels Federation, recently stated that the country is already attracting more holidaymakers than it did in 2007.

Indeed, visitor numbers during the first half of the year were 15 per cent higher than those recorded 12 months earlier, the Turkish Daily News reported.