Signs bilateral agreement

Hazel Jain - Mumbai

Atilla Koc Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Photo credit: Abdullah Yilmaz, Cihan News Agency

The ministry of culture and tourism, Republic of Turkey has identified the expanding tourist market in India, not only in terms of leisure tourists but also Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) as well as Bollywood. A high level Turkish delegation led by the minister of culture and tourism, Atilla Koc recently made its first trip to India - a milestone of sorts - to identify opportunities and promote the destination in India.

Koc, who was in the city and in New Delhi to promote the destination and meet the Indian ministry, said that he expected to see a rise of at least 20 per cent in 2006 over last years figure of 22,000 tourist arrivals from India. The minister met up with his Indian counterpart Ambika Soni with whom he reportedly signed a bi-lateral agreement but declined to give the details. "The tourism market in India has been showing a gradual increase and it prompted us to come here and evaluate its scope. We see tremendous opportunities and have decided to open a cultural centre in New Delhi to promote Turkey and organise activities," stated Koc. The centre will double up as the tourism minister's office.

Until now the Turkish tourism ministry was taking the pulse of the Indian market through its national carrier Turkish Airlines. Koc informed that the airline, which currently operates three flights from Mumbai and four from New Delhi, is planning to up the frequency and even connect neighbouring countries with whom, Koc added, Turkey works in tandem to promote circuit tourism.

With the new cultural centre, Turkey hopes to reach out to the Indian travel trade. It also plans to tap the potential of Bollywood and even TV soaps to promote the destination and will keenly target the two segments. Koc also said that since Turkey is very strategically located between Asia and Europe, it could successfully serve as a gateway for the purpose of tourism and business, especially since it receives certain benefits of being an associate member of the EU. It is on its way to become a full-fledged member.

Source: Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) http://www.expresstravelworld.com