Holidays to Turkey 'proving popular'

Holidays to Turkey are proving more popular than ever, it has been claimed.

Mr Irfan Onal, director of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office UK, suggested that despite the economic downturn, the country is still a hit with tourists.

"Many tour operators have begun new tours to Turkey or expanded their programmes in response to rising demand and interest. A host of airlines also increased flights to Turkey for the summer 2010 season [and] increased capacity to support growth in demand for flights to Turkey," he explained.

Mr Onal noted that Istanbul has become a popular city break destination since becoming the European 2010 Capital of Culture and pointed out that Cappadocia in central Turkey continues to attract a large number of tourists.

Figures published last month by the Turkish Directorate General of State Airports Authority revealed that the country welcomed 44.6 million passengers during the first half of the year.

Posted by Emily Sanders