World Travel Market Africa, 2-3 May 2014 - Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) Stand M10  

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism is delighted to be participating at WTM Africa upon the launch of the global event this year in Cape Town. A number of prominent Turkish travel organisations will also be stand partners exhibitors on Stand M10 at the CTICC between 2 and 3 May to provide information on the diversity of experiences on offer in Turkey, one of the world's most popular travel destinations.  Indeed, the World Travel Organisation's data places Turkey as the sixth most-visited country in the world with a record-breaking 39.8 million visitors last year and year on year growth of 5.69%.

• The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism is holding a Press Conference on Friday, 2nd May at 14:15 in the Press Conference Area, Stand K70 – Hall 3. Speaking will be Mr. Ali Selcuk Can, Attaché for the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey - Office of the Counsellor for Culture and Information in London; Mr. Kasim Zoto, Member of the Board of Directors, the Touristic Hotels & Investors Association (TUROB); and Mr. Ertugrul Karaoglu, representing the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).
• Followed by a Drinks and Canapés Reception on Friday, 2nd May at 15:00 on the Turkey stand M10
• Mr. Ali Selcuk Can, Attaché of The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Office of the Counsellor for Culture and Information in London will be available for interviews at WTM Africa.

 *Please contact us on turkeytourism@redmintcomms.co.uk to RSVP or for any interview requests.*

Turkey also continues to go from strength to strength as one of the most popular emerging travel destinations for South Africa. In 2013, Turkey attracted 44,798 South African visitors, a year on year increase of 9.88%; up from the 40,771 South Africans visitors to Turkey in 2012.

Istanbul, Turkey's cultural capital, also welcomed 10.5 million visitors in 2013, up 12% year on year.  The city was recently named the top destination in the world, ahead of cities such as Rome, London, Paris and New York, in the sixth annual Travellers' Choice awards for Destinations by TripAdvisor Readers.

This year the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is focussing on promoting cultural tourism- including archaeology and its myriad UNESCO sites – together with health/thermal, golf and gourmet tourism as well as continuing to promote Turkey's wide variety of tourism offerings including its 382 Blue Flag beaches, 21 Blue Flag marinas and its 20 world-class golfing facilities to name just a few.

Attaché for the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey - Office of the Counsellor for Culture and Information in London, Ali Selcuk Can says: “We are delighted and honoured that Turkey is exhibiting at the very first World Travel Market in Africa. We already have a good level of interest from South Africans travelling to Turkey and we will be working hard to develop that relationship and seek even closer ties with the country's travel trade and its press. We look forward to showcasing Turkey, a country full of rich history, diverse culture, great food and stunning landscapes which offers fascinating adventures and experiences for every budget.”

Turkey's over-arching tourism plan, to be put in action from 2014 onwards, is to boost total arrivals from 39 to 50 million by 2023.

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WTM Africa:  www.wtmafrica.com

For Press Registration: www.wtmafrica.com/en/Registrationpage

Visit us at:  www.gototurkey.co.uk

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoToTurkeyUK

Follow us on Twitter: @GoToTurkeyUK

Watch us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/GoToTurkeyUK

Visit us on: www.vimeo.com/gototurkeyuk

Editors' Notes:

About the Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism conducts many different projects to support the promotion of Turkey's culture and its appeal as a travel destination around the world, where there are numerous offices.

The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey - Office of the Counsellor for Culture and Information has 40 representative offices of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism around the world. www.gototurkey.co.uk/travel-planning/tourism-offices/

For further information and interview requests for The Ministry of Culture & Tourism representatives, please contact:  Ulku Dirioglu / Serra Celikkan
RedmintCommunications | T: +44 (0)20 3397 3936 | E: turkeytourism@redmintcomms.co.uk