Müberra Eresin

Istanbul's 53 restaurants making it to Michelin's culinary guide will have positive effects not only on gastronomy but also on tourism, a sector representative told daily Milliyet.

Investments in the tourism sector have gathered momentum after the industry saw a strong rebound in activity, according to a report by the Hotel Association of Türkiye (TÜROB)

In the first six months of 2022, applications filed for incentives worth a total of 7.55 billion Turkish Liras, up 640 percent from a year ago, for 75 projects with 14,400 beds capacity.

The Michelin Guide has said it will unveil its first restaurant selection for Istanbul in October this year.

"Istanbul, which is a first-rate gastronomy destination, impressed our team. Michelin Guide will now introduce this city to gourmets from all around the world," Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, told a press conference in Istanbul on April 21.

The latest data boosted morale and hopes among Turkey's hoteliers that the local tourism industry's performance would be much stronger this year.

Foreign tourist arrivals in Turkey soared 94 percent to 24.7 million people last year while the country's tourism revenues surged 103 percent to $24.5 billion, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Domestic tourism in Turkey has begun as it returns to "new normal," and the country is revving up efforts to
gradually reopen to international travelers.
In this regard, hotels have started to design their facilities, including buffets, lobbies and pools, to maintain social distancing.