Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, drawing attention to Turkey’s tourism potential, stated that the country has many different destinations. He emphasized that as a ministry, they have carried out various projects and investments to develop tourism and make it sustainable throughout the year.
Tourism Figures and Targets
Ersoy announced that according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism data, the number of tourists visiting Turkey in the first 5 months of this year was 17 million 809 thousand 78. He stated that in addition to the 14% increase in the number of foreign tourists , a positive trend in tourism revenues continued. Minister Ersoy stated that they were moving forward with determination towards the goal of 60 million visitors and 60 billion dollars in tourism revenues in order to achieve their goals.
Archaeological Studies and Investments
Stressing the importance of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism that attaches to archaeological sites, Ersoy stated that the work carried out in ancient cities in particular is being carried out with great care. Ersoy, who announced that the budget allocated for archaeological excavations last year was increased to 1.1 billion lira, said that a budget exceeding 6 billion lira will be used for archaeological excavations and restoration work this year.
Transferring the Excavation Memory to Turkish Academicians
Minister Ersoy emphasized the importance of appointing Turkish coordinator professors in archaeological excavation areas and drew attention to the necessity of transferring long-term excavation studies to Turkish academics. He stated that this step will enable archaeological studies to be carried out more effectively and efficiently.
Night Museum Practice and Its Effects
Minister Ersoy stated that one of the important projects contributing to tourism activities is the Night Museum application. He stated that this application, which allows tourists to visit ancient sites in the evening, especially in destinations such as Antalya, has an increasing effect on tourism revenues. He also added that thanks to the night museum, the night atmosphere of ancient cities offers a different experience to tourists and attracts attention on social media.
