ISTANBUL EXPECTS 30 MILLION TOURISTS THIS YEAR

With the end of the pandemic effect experienced around the world, the increase in touristic travels is increasing rapidly. The number of visitors to Istanbul, which was 16 million last year, is expected to exceed 30 million foreign visitors in 2023.

HISTORICAL PENINSULA PRIORITY OF EUROPEAN TOURIST

According to the research conducted by the Historical Peninsula Businessmen and Managers Association, the reservations that will take place this year will be at the highest level. TÜRSAB Regional Representative Board II. President Okan Başusta said in a statement; “As the season approaches, the number of reservations increases. As a sector, we are ready to respond to the demands with all our tourism businesses, room numbers and vehicles. The preference of European tourists this year will be Istanbul, so the historical peninsula will be.” Basusta, the historical peninsula means Istanbul, and Istanbul means the historical peninsula. It has been the capital of 3 empires with a history of 8500 years for 1600 years, has been a trade center for 2700 years, and is a center where east and west intersect. It is a place that has a story of life throughout history, even with the names of every street, every street and neighborhood. In such a small area with its obelisk, Byzantine and Mimar Sinan work, patriarchate, Bulgarian iron church, Topkapı and tekfur palace, anemas dungeons used as a dungeon for 1000 years, its arch, historical harbor, Hagia Sophia, covered bazaar, fortresses, cisterns, 6800 registered works. collected, underground and above ground is full of historical artifacts. I believe that with the promotion that our region deserves, it will become the center of history, culture and art tourism in the world. The packing and opening of the rubble of the twin towers of September 11, where the 40-year-old mosque was visited as a historical monument in Dubai, and where non-tourist countries held carnivals, makes us understand the importance of our historical peninsula in Istanbul. We should know the value of every centimeter.

THE HISTORICAL PENINSULA SHOULD BE COMPLETELY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

We are working to close our peninsula to traffic in a phased manner. Ordu Street and its surroundings were an important stage of the discovery. It will provide significant benefits in terms of tourism in our region. Restoration works carried out by our relevant institutions will make Istanbul shine with each passing day.

NO CANCELLATION DUE TO EARTHQUAKE

Stating that there was no significant cancellation of reservations from abroad as a result of the sad earthquake in our country, Başusta said, “Although there was a little uneasiness in the first weeks, we can say that it has no effect on future reservations.”