The annual peak season for Turkish tourism is expected to come in time, as popular resorts are largely far away from regions hit by the massive February 6 earthquakes, local experts have said.
Turkey is still recovering from earthquakes that have killed tens of thousands of people and toppled countless buildings in the southern and central parts of the country, reports Xinhua news agency.
The disaster has prompted Turkish authorities to immediately warn tourists not to travel to the affected zone for their safety concerns, despite the region not being an essential part of the country's popular destinations, except for the Hatay province.
"Southeastern Turkey is noted for some attractions and regional gastronomy features, but are mainly the domain of cultural visitors," Esra Bilir, a freelance tour operator from the capital city Ankara, told Xinhua.
Bilir said that the most welcomed destinations are located in the southern and western parts of the country, along the Aegean and Mediterranean coastline, hundreds of km from the earthquake zone.
Main airlines and Turkey international airports are operating as normal, and clients are maintaining their reservations, she added.
"There may be a slight decrease in the number of visitors in March or April, but with the start of the season, in May, we expect full occupancy in most resorts," Bilir said.
Turkey annually receives millions of tourists from across the globe. The industry is vital for the Turkish economy by employing about two million people.
This year, its revenues are all the more important for covering the rebuilding costs estimated to be tens of billions of dollars, Kaan Sahinalp, a representative of foreign tourism companies, told Xinhua.
In 2022, the country welcomed more than 51 million tourists, said tourism and Culture minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.
That brought in $46 billion in revenues, a 53.4 per cent surge from 2021, according to figures from the Turkish Statistical Institute.
Earlier this month, Ersoy said foreign arrivals are expected to reach 60 million in 2023, which would translate into
456 billion of income.
Tripura holds significant position in blood donation: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Friday inaugurated a blood donation camp here at Agartala and said that the government is mulling to open more blood banks in the state to maintain the balance between the demand and supply.
Tripura CM Saha holds key meeting with BJP, IPFT and TMP leaders
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday held an "important" meeting between the leaders of ruling BJP and its two allies – Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and discussed various political and developmental issue, sources said.
HM Amit Shah's meeting sends a clear message: Not a drop of water to Pakistan
A high-level meeting was held on Friday at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The 45-minute meeting between the Home Minister and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil focused on exploring ways to halt the flow of water to Pakistan.
Tripura: TMP chief urges Centre to adopt 'stronger policy' against B'desh
Ruling BJP’s ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) founder-chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma on Friday urged the Central government to adopt a stronger policy stance towards Bangladesh, accusing the neighbouring country of encouraging fundamentalist forces targeting Hindu minorities.
Pahalgam attack: More countries express solidarity with India, offer support in fight against terrorism
Ambassadors of Israel, Egypt, Argentina, and Nepal met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday, expressing solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism following the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam.
Tripura CM directs SPs and DMs to remain vigilant about Pakistani nationals
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday directed the Superintendents of Police (SPs) of all eight districts to regularly share necessary inputs with the Chief Minister’s Secretariat regarding the presence of any Pakistani nationals in the state, officials said.
US supports India's 'hunt' for those behind 'horrific Islamist terrorist attack' in Pahalgam, says Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), on Friday said that the United States supports India's "hunt" for the perpetrators of the "horrific Islamist terrorist attack" in Pahalgam that took place earlier this week.
Tehran stands ready to 'forge greater understanding' between India and Pakistan: Iran FM Araghchi
Citing its good relations with both India and Pakistan, Iran on Friday said that it stands ready to "forge greater understanding" between New Delhi and Islamabad following the Pahalgam terror attack, earlier this week.