Minister Ersoy: Turkey Aims for Top 3 in Global Tourism by 2028.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy conducted inspections in Midyat, Mardin. Minister Ersoy: Our Goal by 2028
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated, “Since 2019, Turkey has become a country breaking records. Initially, it ranked 7th, then 6th, and eventually reached the 4th place, meaning it became the 4th most visited country in the world. However, our goal is not the 4th place; by 2028, our aim is to rank 3rd. In other words, we want to become the 3rd most visited country in the world,” he said.
Ersoy, who visited the city for various meetings, toured the market and square completed as part of the Clothing and Jewelers Market Facade Renovation and Square Arrangement Project in Midyat district of Mardin with AK Party Mardin Deputy Faruk Kılıç, and met with tradesmen and citizens.
Inspecting the Telkari Museum, Midyat People’s Garden Public Library, Midyat Baby and Children’s Library, and the restored Binbaşı Hacı Abdurrahman Efendi Mansion, Ersoy received information from Midyat Mayor Veysi Şahin about the works.
Ersoy also visited the Midyat Municipality Culture and Congress Center and expressed his pleasure at being in the district.
“We’ve Undergone a Paradigm Shift in Tourism” Stating that they underwent a paradigm shift in tourism as of 2018 and aimed to spread tourism throughout 12 months and to all 81 provinces, Ersoy said that they introduced many innovations into the tourism sector in this context.
Ersoy expressed that they are the country that conducts the most intense and effective promotion worldwide, supported by product diversity. He stated:
“We’ve supported this with certification. Now, gradually, all accommodation facilities have become certified by our Ministry. We are leading in the sustainability certification program in Europe, despite starting later. We have the best certification program in the world. After completing all these tourism infrastructure works, they started to reflect on the numbers.
“We Need to Revitalize Tourism in All 81 Provinces” Since 2019, Turkey has become a country breaking records. Initially, it ranked 7th, then 6th, and eventually reached the 4th place, meaning it became the 4th most visited country in the world. However, our goal is not the 4th place; by 2028, our aim is to rank 3rd. In other words, we want to become the 3rd most visited country in the world. Therefore, we need to revitalize tourism in all 81 provinces.”
Minister Ersoy emphasized that Mardin and Midyat distinguish themselves from the rest of the world with their tourism potential, archaeological values, cultural riches, and their ability to sustain different civilizations and beliefs together.
Explaining that coming together due to differences has begun to be a cause for war in the world, Ersoy said, “In such a period, Midyat is a district that lives in peace and tranquility with all its differences. Therefore, we express our gratitude as Turkey and the world. Midyat is a very important tourism lobby and destination where different beliefs coexist with its gastronomy, archaeological values, and cultural riches.”
Ersoy stated that they aim to bring the tourism sector to the forefront and ensure that all stakeholders, including traders and tourism, benefit more economically.
“We’ll Come to Mardin More and Continue Our Investments” Ersoy, stating that they will continue investments, concluded his speech as follows:
“Our aim is to maintain the peace and tranquility that Mardin and Midyat have regained after many years. Therefore, our most important resource is tourism. Along with tourism come investment and employment. Mardin is important for us in every aspect; we continue our investments. There are library investments we made last year. There is no district without a library in Mardin. We have one last touch left, which is the Mardin Provincial Library; we are tendering for a very large library on an area of 8,500 square meters in May. It’s not my first visit to Mardin; we’ll come more and continue our investments.”
“We Established Turkey’s First Telkari Museum” Midyat Mayor Veysi Şahin stated that they have made great strides, especially in the field of tourism in the district, and reminded that the telkari art, which has become a symbol of the district, has been registered. Minister Ersoy: Our Goal by 2028
Emphasizing that craftsmen have achieved great gains from telkari craftsmanship, Şahin said, “Thanks to God, we have also established the first Telkari Museum in the world and in Turkey thanks to you. I thank you. We have made great efforts in Midyat with historical street and facade renovation works. The work in the underground city, which will contribute greatly to the tourism of our district, continues at a great pace. Midyat is an important district for faith and cultural tourism, the shining star of the region. Our biggest resource is tourism.” he spoke.
Minister Ersoy chatted with tradesmen and citizens he visited on First Street in the central Artuklu district.
Ersoy later met with tourism sector representatives at a meeting held in a hotel.