Turkish authorities aiming to double tourism
The Turkish government has put in place a strategic plan to help more than double the size of the country's tourism industry within 15 years.
Turkey's tourism minister Ertugrul Gunay told Reuters a target of 50 million visitors and revenue of $50 billion (£25.4 billion) has been set for 2023.
Before the government starts to focus on those figures it will see whether the industry manages to achieve its objective of increasing visitor numbers from 23 million in 2007 to 25 million this year and tourism revenue from $18 billion to $20 billion.
"The 25 million tourists number is a critical level and I think we will exceed this in 2008. We must reach the revenue target of $20 billion," Mr Gunay added.
Figures covering January to May this year suggest Turkey is on course to meet those targets, as 12% more holidaymakers visited the country than in the corresponding period in 2007.
An increase in tourist numbers is likely to be good news for owners of investment property in Turkish holiday resorts, who could find they benefit from both increased rental income and capital appreciation.
The Turkish Daily News recently reported that property prices in the resort of Bodrum had risen to such an extent that the local population can no longer afford to buy.
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