THE TURKISH Tourist Office is aiming to reverse a drop in summer visitors by attracting extra tourists in September and October.
Director Savas Kuce admitted that the destination was currently facing a 10% drop in UK visitors to 850,000 in 1999, but said he was optimistic about closing the gap later in the year.
“The overall UK market is down 2% this year because of Kosovo, but I think the season will be extended for two months. September and October will be good months for the Mediterranean,” he said.
He dismissed the threat to holidaymakers made by the Kurdish PKK party, pointing out that they had issued the same warning every year for 15 years and nothing had happened.
The TTO hosted its own week-long educational for 45 travel agents in July. All the agents went to Istanbul for two days and then visited either Bodrum, Dalyan or Antalya. In addition to this, the TTO is also planning Turkish Nights in Nottingham and Glasgow for later in the year.