Istanbul attempts to 'close the gap' on Europe's traditional top tourist resorts
Istanbul is aiming to "close the gap" on Europe's traditional prime tourist destinations, such as London or Paris, according to new claims from a political and economic intelligence company.
Oxford Business Group said that while the city does not yet attract the same number of visitors as some western European cities, Istanbul is keen to promote its historical, cultural and retail significance, as well as its credentials as a business centre for conferences and exhibitions.
While London attracts some 15.2 million foreign tourists a year, Istanbul currently receives approximately 5.5 million - although a consistent year-on-year increase of 15% would see Turkey's largest city entertain some 10 million tourists a year by 2010, the company states.
Furthermore, the expansion of high-profile sporting events in Istanbul - including the football Champions League final of two years ago and the Istanbul Grand Prix - have provided further a further boost to tourism statistics, conceivably to the benefit of holiday property investors in the region.
Explaining the attraction of Istanbul, the report's authors stated: "Most visitors rank it amongst the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world."
Recently, the Turkish government announced a plan to make Turkey into one of the world's top tourist destinations, with much work centred on promoting the country's image as a diverse and welcoming culture.
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