Growth Turkish tourism this year expected to again exceed world average

Turkish tourism is again set to register bigger growth in 2011 compared to the global average, according to Ekin Fair CEO Hacer Aydin. "In the months ahead, we foresee that online sales will become more important in the marketing leg of the tourism sector, as will consumer rights," she added. This year Turkey will participate in Ekin's EMITT Fair for the first time in order to connect Turkish professionals with a global range of visitors and boost its tourism potential. Aydin said the global growth rate for the tourism sector in 2011 is expected at around 2.2-2.5 percent. "But from looking at the 2010 data, we believe that Turkish tourism's growth will surpass that," she said. Countries will be more interested in launching new products in the global market in 2011, she said. "New products will be developed in tourism marketing and publicity, as well as by businesses, to suit the interests of the what is called the 'Third Age' because of the rapidly aging European population," she added.