Turkish tourism declines amid violence, PKK attacks

PanARMENIAN.Net - The recent escalation of violence in Turkey has led to a downturn in the country's tourism revenues in the recent period, according to Culture and Tourism Minister Yalcin Topcu, Today's Zaman reports.

Speaking to Turkish media, Topcu said, “As a result of terrorist activities, there is 3,8 % loss in tourism revenues, the number of tourists and the volume of departures and arrivals.”

The country's economic conditions had already been affected by the wars in Iraq and Syria. Slow industrial production was a topic of conversation. Business in the textile sector was sluggish and many were booted from their jobs. Rising terrorism and the ensuing state of conflict has all but put the final nail in the regional economy's coffin.

The number of visitors coming to Turkey slumped by 6,5 percent year-on-year in June, according to the Touristic Hotels and Investors Association (TUROB) data.

After calling off the peace process that aimed to resolve the country's Kurdish issue by expanding cultural and social rights to Kurds, the Turkish military and the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have resumed attacks on each other claiming hundreds of lives over the past few months. In the midst of clashes, foreign embassies in Turkey have issued several travel advisories to their citizens.

Topcu also said the recent extension to the public holiday for the holy feast of Eid al-Adha would boost market activity in the sector.

“I demanded that the weekend be combined with the Eid al-Adha holiday. I thank the Prime Minister did what is needed.

Why did we say this? [In order for] the dynamism in domestic tourism to continue and for our businessmen to benefit from it.”