Firuz

Türkiye expects to receive over 1.8 million health tourists in 2023, with an increase of approximately 30 percent, the head of a tourism professional organization has said.

Two of the world's most important tourism trade shows have taken place back to back, with ITB Berlin in March and EMITT Istanbul this month bringing together international tourism stakeholders.

The number of foreign tourists visiting Türkiye is likely to exceed its 2019 level, says Firuz Bağlıkaya, board chair of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

"There is no doubt about it, we will surpass the 2019 level. We are expecting a new record," Bağlıkaya said.

Thousands of people have mobilized in Turkey after the mid-term break at schools began on Jan. 21, and the country's skiing resorts appear to be one of the main beneficiaries of this two-week-long holiday even though harsh winter conditions, including heavy snow, continue to batter many provinces.

Millions of people are expected to hit the roads to flock to Turkey's coastal provinces or their hometowns as Turkish authorities have extended the Eid al-Adha holiday.

The tourism sector in Turkey is hopeful that current coronavirus pandemic measures will reduce the number of infections and pave the way for tourists to visit.

Turkey expects $20 billion to $25 billion in tourism revenues this year, the head of a prominent sectoral group said on April 5.

Tourists, mostly from Russia and Ukraine, have started to arrive in Turkish resorts and visits will accelerate from mid-April, said Firuz Bağlıkaya, the head of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

Britons eager to travel amid promising vaccination efforts against the coronavirus are expected to visit one of their favorite destinations - Turkey. 

"Last year, Turkey's tourism sector saw a fall in tourist demand from the EU, but the UK remained out of this picture," Firuz Bağlıkaya, the head of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), said Monday.