Turkey keen to promote India travel

INDIA (eTN) – Turkey is focusing on promoting travel to and from India, and for this to happen, better connectivity, through more flights between the two countries, is necessary.

Ambassador Burak Akcaper of Turkey to India said in Delhi on March 28 that MICE, sports, wedding, and health-wellness were some areas where Turkey had a good potential. The country attracted 39 million tourists last year. India contributed 130,000 visitors, which was 10 percent higher than in 2014.

The ambassador was confident that in 2016, the growth will be even better. From April 1, VFS Global will look after the visa requirements for Indians to go to Turkey. An agreement for this was signed today, March 28.

Vinay Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, VFS Global, said that this would mean that applicants can apply for a visa in 16 locations, up from the present three only. Maldives and Nepal are also covered by the pact with VFS and Turkey.

Akcaper said that they were keen on more flights from more destinations. Among the cities the Turkish airlines is hoping to fly to is Amrtisar, Ahmedabad, Kolkatta, Chennai, and Bangalore. Istanbul was a hub, and served more than 60 European destinations, apart from Africa and other places.

The envoy said that terrorism was a world phenomenon, but people would still travel, and Turkey was a good destination for leisure and business. Several international organizations were moving to Turkey because of its location and facilities, he said.