Julian Walker Earlier this year we reported that Turkey had finally crossed the 30 million visitor threshold in 2011, a target set for 2010 during the boom years. But that wasn’t the only great tourism achievement for Turkey last year. According to a new report from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Turkey was the only country in the top 10 tourism destinations to move up the rankings in 2011.
In its 2012 highlights report, UNWTO explains how its figure of 29.3 million visitors saw Turkey become the 6th biggest tourist destination in the world in 2011, up from 7th place in 2010. Turkey actually overtook Britain, which slipped into 7th place in terms of arrivals, however, Britain is also in seventh place for tourism receipts, for which Turkey is back in 12th.
This is a great result for Turkey, with the UNWTO world tourism ranking being the most trusted chart of its kind; it is the chart of international tourism and Turkey is climbing it. According to the body Turkish visitor numbers grew by 8.7%, which is also the largest growth recorded by any country in the top 10, with Spain the second biggest growth at 7.6%, followed by Italy with 5.7%.
In other news: antalya_airport”>Antalya Airport has been chosen as “Turkey’s Most Successful Tourism Investment,” according to a survey sponsored by the Tourism Investors’ Association (TYD), Eurbank Tekfen and economy magazines Capital and Ekonomist.
“We started [investments] in 2012. Renewal and expansion work at the second international terminal was completed in March. We have raised the comfort level of passengers substantially and increased the total annual passenger capacity to 47 million,” said Salih Çeçen, an IC Holding board member, as he received the award.
