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Ozdemir … UAE residents choose Turkey for its proximity, cost and historical richness. |
Turkey remains a popular holiday destination for UAE residents. In 2013, over 50,000 UAE residents visited Turkey, a 50 per cent increase over 2012. This is according to the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in Dubai, which found that the UAE is among the top three countries in the GCC that opt for Turkey as its number one holiday destination.'Turkey remains a popular destination, not only for the GCC but globally,' says Mustafa Ozdemir, cultural & information attaché, Cultural and Information Office Turkish Consulate General in Dubai. 'The GCC currently contributes 5 per cent of Turkey’s tourism revenue, with Kuwait as the highest contributor, followed by the UAE. It’s understandable that the GCC and Turkey both have historical and cultural ties and this is evident in the increase of tourists over the last year. Residents are choosing the country based on its proximity, cost and historical richness.'Middle Eastern visitors generally prefer Istanbul, Ozdemir tells TTN. 'The city is the largest in Turkey and one of the largest in the world, stretching across a strait, connecting Asia and Europe – making it the only city in the world spanning two continents. While Istanbul is popular, historical areas around the Black Sea are gaining prominence amongst Arabs. 'Closely following Istanbul in terms of popularity, Antalya is fast becoming one of the most visited cities in Turkey. Another popular tourist city is Bodrum. Located in the southern Aegean region, the city was once home to the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. With an attractive landscape, scenic beaches and resorts, Bodrum remains one of the top three destinations to visit in Turkey.'
