Keen to improve China ties, Turkey predicts 2 million tourists by 2030

Turkey is anticipating a significant rise in the number of Chinese tourists in the coming years. The consul general in Hong Kong, Kerim Sercan Evcin, stated in an interview that Turkey is expecting 2 million Chinese tourists by 2030, a nearly fourfold increase from pre-pandemic levels. Evcin attributes this growth to the Chinese tourists' passion for photography and history. He further added that he considers the 2 million projection to be a very feasible target. Despite economic challenges such as a property crisis and youth unemployment in China, Chinese nationals are willing to spend money on international travel. This justifies Turkey's efforts to promote tourism and its public-private partnership approach to travel logistics and site management. Evcin also mentioned that Turkey is now focusing on developing tailor-made products for Chinese visitors. These could include visits to historic ruins, Mediterranean beaches, and major cities, all at a reasonable price. Among the most popular historical sites in Turkey are the 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul and the Roman-era ruins of Ephesus. Despite economic uncertainties in China, travelers are placing greater importance on the value and quality of their trips. Last year, Turkey was the fourth most popular global destination, with 50. 5 million people visiting the country. In addition to tourism, Turkey is also working on enhancing its economic and ecological cooperation with China. They plan to strengthen their role in the Belt and Road Initiative, which is China's strategy to build infrastructure across Eurasia. Evcin emphasized that Turkey's unique geographical location facilitates the integration of transport corridors between continents. The Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have underscored the strategic importance of unhindered connectivity and transportation corridors. Climate change and diminishing natural resources have also led Turkey to seek agreements with other countries on water resources, energy, and forestry.