Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay organized a press conference at WTM, and said that Turkish tourism has a good year in 2008, already over 25 million tourists will visit the country by spending at least US$20 billion. Gunay added that Istanbul had already hosted over 6 million tourists to date and over 8 million had visited the southern resort city of Antalya. Despite the economical crisis in UK, the number of British tourists visiting Turkey increased by 13% and reached 1.9 million. The number was expected to reach as high as 2.3 million later in the year.

Gunay stated that while they are continuing to promote Turkey’s natural richness within its Sea-Sun-Sand tourism product, they are also trying to introduce other potential tourism products of the country.

Culture and Tourism Minister Promotion Director Cumhur Guven Tasbasi, and his assistant Leven Demirel, London Culture and Tourism Director Irfan Onal were also attended the press conference. The minister also visited Turkey Booth and talked with stand representatives. A special cocktail was also given for the honor of the minister’s visit.