Minister sends message to the world saying Turkey is ready for safe tourism

The first meeting organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and attended by ambassadors from 89 countries, representatives of international missions and members of the Foreign Press, was held last year. The second meeting was held in Antalya with a 3-day program on which occasion ambassadors and foreign journalists visited the ancient cities of Perge and Side.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said Turkey hosted 16 million tourists despite the outbreak, last year. He went on to say, “As of today, 15.8 million first doses, 11.9 million second doses of vaccination has been realized in the country, the number of cases in tourism regions is very low. The certification program continues this year as well with safe tourism is now safer slogan.

Ambassadors and foreign journalists visited the ancient cities of Perge and Side in the 3-day program, where the criteria and practices of the tourism sector in Turkey in accordance with the conditions of the pandemic within the scope of the safe tourism certificate program were introduced on the spot. Said delegation also saw the services provided in hotels in the Belek tourism region and the measures taken on the spot.

TURKEY READY MESSAGE

On the second day of the program, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Health Tolga Tolunay, Antalya Governor Ersin Printer, professionals from the sector and industry representatives got together.

In the program, ambassadors and foreign journalists were given the message that Turkey, one of the first countries in the world to launch the safe Tourism certification program, was also ready for the 2021 summer season with increased measures.

16 MILLION TOURISTS DESPITE OUTBREAK

Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said Turkey had hosted 16 million visitors in 2020, and despite the epidemic, they had reached this figure with the safe tourism certificate program.

Minister Ersoy also noted that the program prepared in the cooperation of industry stakeholders continued to be implemented efficiently and in good discipline under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and tourism and with the contributions of the ministries of Health, Interior, Transport and Infrastructure.

Ersoy said the the scope of the program covered accommodation facilities, food and drink businesses, tour and transfer vehicles, marine tourism facilities, theme parks and ski facilities.

NUMBER OF CERTIFICATES REACHED 9,800

Minister Ersoy reminded that the safety and health of passengers was extremely important and measures taken in facilities, measures in transport vehicles and the safety and health of the employees were among priorities.