"Tourism Week" message from TÜROB President Eresin...

Dear Colleagues,

Dear Travel Enthusiasts,

We are celebrating “Tourism Week,” which we observe every year between 15 and 22 April, with feelings that are somewhat bittersweet and somewhat anxious due to the earthquakes that have deeply affected us all, yet always full of hope. I would particularly like to emphasize that the support our sector stakeholders have provided to the earthquake-stricken region and to our citizens – which has continued and increased from the very first day to the present – is beyond all praise.

It is clear that, through the successful investments and experience of our members, they play an important role in the national economy, the tourism infrastructure, and the expansion of employment. As TÜROB, I would like to underline that we take great pride in having jointly laid the pioneering foundations that strengthen the competitiveness of Turkish tourism and make this strength sustainable. Turkish tourism has grown from a total of two to two and a half million tourists to fifty million, and from a bed capacity of eighty-five thousand to one and a half million. Today, the total cost of tourism investments has reached approximately 90 billion dollars, and despite the crises experienced, the number of people employed has risen to approximately 1.5 million. The tourism sector, which directly affects 54 sectors, has – as we all know – become one of the locomotive sectors of the economy, with annual purchases exceeding approximately 30 billion dollars.

The concept of tourism is a sector that goes far beyond the familiar notions of traveling, discovering new places, and getting to know different cultures; it has become a socio-cultural force, an important diplomatic tool in foreign relations, and a fundamental pillar of the economy, especially in tourism-brand countries such as Turkey. Tourism is a living industry whose spirit adds value to both the tourist and the destination, broadens our vision, and touches all our lives. Born out of curiosity and the desire to explore, tourism is the sector with the widest sphere of influence, providing significant added value to the national economy and serving as an important tool in establishing tolerance and universal peace by enhancing cultural and social closeness. With advancing technology and access opportunities, the perception of travel has taken on a new meaning, and tourism has become one of people’s most important motivations and needs.

In this respect, our country is in a very fortunate position both in terms of its natural and geographical conditions and gains a competitive advantage with its developed infrastructure and human resources. Ensuring the sustainability of this strength and value by spreading tourism across all 81 of our provinces is the common duty of all of society, above all the public authorities and we, the sector stakeholders.

The foundation of an all-round success can be laid by conveying an awareness of tolerance, understanding, and proper communication – the most important criteria of tourism – as a social duty to all our citizens, institutions, and businesses. As TÜROB, we will continue our work, always acting with this awareness and responsibility, in order to add value to our country in the best possible way.

With these feelings and thoughts, I would like to underline once again the importance of tourism for a better future and a better life. I celebrate the Tourism Week of our entire tourism community, our hard-working tourism employees, and our people, and I extend my love and respect to my esteemed colleagues.

Müberra ERESİN
President of TÜROB