Turkey expecting 10 rise in tourism

The Turkish authorities are expecting 2009 tourism levels to increase by approximately 10% on last year, it has emerged.

Speaking in Istanbul on Wednesday (Janaury 14th), tourism minister Ertugrul Gunay said that Turkey's visitor numbers and revenues should rise significantly this year, Reuters reports.

With tourism revenues of $18.5 billion (£12.4 billion) recorded in 2007, Mr Gunay said that initial estimates show that the sector generated $20.5 billion in 2008.

Turkey is becoming increasingly popular as a leisure destination for Britons, with many people choosing it as an alternative to countries within the eurozone, where holidays are now more expensive.

Aldi Travel's Sarah Butler recently claimed that Turkey is set to grow in popularity this year as more UK holidaymakers turn their back on traditional "Mediterranean destinations".

Last year, the Sun rated Turkey as the number one non-EU country for expatriate property buyers.

The newspaper said that Turkey is "now a safe bet among homemakers."

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