Happy Tourism Week, April 15–22

This year, we mark Tourism Week, which we celebrate every year from April 15 to 22, under the shadow of the wars continuing in our region, and with our longing for peace. Tourism is not merely an economic activity; it is the most powerful instrument of diplomacy—one that transcends borders, breaks down prejudices, and builds bridges between societies. Unlike wars and conflicts, tourism is the sector in which tolerance, intercultural dialogue, and universal peace are most rapidly established. In this respect, tourism is a force that guarantees peace and stability in the world.

Following the words of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, “Tourism is the most effective means of introducing our country to the civilized world,” Turkish tourism, despite all global and regional difficulties, has shown tremendous development and today, with a bed capacity approaching 2 million and a visitor count targeting figures of 100 million, has succeeded in taking its place among the world’s giants. With an investment volume of approximately 90 billion dollars, tourism—one of the most strategic sectors of our economy—feeds 54 ancillary sectors and provides employment to millions of our people. As TÜROB, we consider it our most fundamental duty to spread this success to all 81 of our provinces while increasing our country’s competitiveness, and to carry tourism toward a sustainable future. 

With these sentiments and thoughts, I congratulate all our sector stakeholders on Tourism Week—foremost our Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as everyone from our investors who bring life to the tourism sector to our dedicated employees. I invite all our domestic and foreign guests to discover the unique cultural heritage of our country, the meeting point of civilizations. Hoping that the unifying power of tourism may serve as a means for all conflicts in our region and around the world to give way to a lasting peace, I extend my respects to all my colleagues.

TÜROB-Türkiye Otelciler Birliği

Müberra ERESİN

President

Background Note on the History of Tourism Week: Tourism Week was celebrated on the second Monday of March from 1977 onward, and—owing to cold weather and the opening of the tourism season—it began to be celebrated between April 15 and 22 from 1983 onward.