Europeans Love Turkish Tourists

Speaking to the AA on Monday, spokesperson for the Tour Operators Platform, Cem Polatoglu, said that “in the past few years, the number of Turks going overseas for holidays has increased sharply”.

Turkish tourists, in general, have a tendency to travel to Europe for holidays. European countries realized the importance of Turkish tourists, who spend four times more than far eastern, Arabic or American tourists, during the global economic crisis, Polatoglu said.

Turkish tourists spend around 2,500 euros in weekly tours and around 1,200 euros during three-day tours, Polatoglu noted.

In the past, Turkish tourists had to go through “torture” due to visa and related documents requirements. Those European countries which in the past did not want Turkish tourists are now chasing them. Every single day, tour operators from Spain, France, Germany, Italy and Greece are now coming at our door for Turkish tourists. I have been working in the tourism sector for the past 35 years and have not seen such excellent days during my career, Polatoglu stressed.

According to Polatoglu, 1,750,000 Turks went to Europe for holidays during 2009.

We expect a rise of 15 percent in the number of Turks going to Europe in 2010, Polatoglu said.

Turkish tourists are Europe’s most favorite tourists, Polatoglu also said.