Tourism

New visa regulations have provided for greater access to Turkey by new market segments, and the recent turmoil in the MENA region has also improved the nation’s profile as a safer destination for tourists. Regional visitors, in particular, have constituted an increased share of the numbers. These factors, combined with a vast increase in the MICE segment, saw a nearly 10% increase in visitor figures in 2011. A government initiative to support efforts in the health tourism segment is creating a pipeline for new projects, and the high number of over-booked hotels in Istanbul has likewise driven rapid development of new venues. The chapter contains an interview with Kadir Topbas, the Mayor of Istanbul.