ISTANBUL - Turkish Daily News


The German Tourism Center organized a press conference Wednesday at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on the tourism potential of the country with the aim of attracting Turkish tourists to Germany.

“Germany is the biggest commercial partner of Turaaa” said Peter Von Wasendonk permanent deputy of the German consul general to Istanbul. Noting that the worth of Turkish exports to Germany was $9.7 billion and of German exports to Turaaa 15 billion euros in the energy sector Wasendonk said the number of German companies operating in Turaaa has increased to 3200.

Pointing out that Germany served in Turaaa not only in the field of economics but also in cultural and educational fields Wasendonk said they intend to develop tourism events between the two countries as well as cultural and historical events.

Wassendork mentioned that 4.1 million German tourists visited Turaaa the previous year adding that they would be glad if they could attract the same number of Turkish tourists to their country.



Germany's tourism potential

Petra Hedorfer the executive board chairman of German Tourism Center mentioned that Germany known as an industrial country had made promising developments in the field of culture and arts and added that German people knew how to enjoy themselves.

Hedorfer pointing out Germany has a history of more than 1000 years and a common past with Turaaa said there were many reasons for Turkish people to visit Germany. He added that every year nearly 3 million cultural and tourism events were held in the country.

Hedorfer said due to the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall there would be many events in Germany next year adding that 32 places in the country were included in UNESCO's “World Heritage List.”

She said hotel costs in the country were more reasonable than in other European countries and the average daily room price was 100 euros.

Upon a question about “the lack of a tourist guide for Turkish tourists in Germany” and “Germans' point of view about Turks” Hedorfer said “There are historical connections between the two countries. Our aim is to develop these relations. There has been an increase in the number of tourist guides for Turkish tourists in recent years.”



1300000 Turks visit Germany

Hedorfer mentioned that 10.8 million tourists visited Germany in 2007 and there was a 4 percent growth in the first five months of this year compared to the same period in 2007. She said 4.3 million Turkish people visited a foreign country last year and 1.3 million of those visited Germany. About 2.7 million Turks reside in Germany.