Speaking at a press conference at the TİM Maslak Show Center to promote the June 9th start of the 'Istanbul Shopping Fest', Minister Günay stated, "Hopefully in the near future, we will be able to ensure that over ten million foreign visitors leave Istanbul smiling after experiencing the city's culture and history. Our ten million tourist goal for Istanbul is just our minimum." As for the upcoming Istanbul Shopping Fest, Günay explains that last year they started off with an amateurish excitement, whereas this year, the event is anticipated to be much more enjoyable and to have many more participants.
Günay went on to relay that last year, Turkey closed the year with 31.5 million tourists having visited, double the figures anticipated by international tourism organizations and 31.5 million tourists. Stating that Istanbul's tourism increased by 15 percent, reaching the eight million mark, Günay went on to say that although their minimum expectation is for ten million tourists to visit Istanbul, "In the near future, I hope that Istanbul will double its own population of 15 million in tourists."
Reminding that during last year's Istanbul Shopping Fest, which lasted for 40 days, there was an approximate 25 percent increase in shopping; Günay states that the increase in the usage of foreign bank cards was up to 38 percent higher compared to figures from the year prior and, the Minister of Culture and Tourism mentioned that they are expecting even higher figures this year. Günay also expressed that in addition to Turks benefitting from these events, they also want those who live in the nearby geography to enjoy the benefits. Günay explained that just like last year, the Ministry will do all they can to promote the Istanbul Shopping Fest event in surrounding nations. Last year there were visitors from Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and the Middle East, says Günay who goes on to mention that the Ministry will be exerting additional effort this year to provide transportation options to Istanbul.
-Istanbul is a center of civilization-
Emphasizing that he believes it is extremely important that Istanbul be known as a shopping desrination, Günay went on to state the following: ''Certain provinces were impressed by Istanbul's success last year and embarked upon doing the same themselves. However they have an excellent idol to look up to, they are competing with Istanbul. However, Istanbul competes with the world and is trying to beat it. While Istanbul renews and modernizes itself on the one hand, it must also ensure it does not destroy its historical and natural structure. As we try to draw people to our shopping centers from all over the world, we must at the same time recover Istanbul's traditional shopping centers such as the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market and familiarize our own people and those who travel here from all over the world with these unique sites. We have to reincorporate these locations into the Istanbul lifestyle. It is then we will be able to transform this city into one which is special and significant not only for its modern shopping centers but also as an extraordinary center of civilization, a city which has stood out for over a thousand years as the capital of empires. An objective we must never neglect is to ensure Istanbul is known for being a cultural center just as much as it is a shopping destination."
District Culture and Tourism Director Bilgili: "In May, Istanbul broke a historical record by hosting over one million foreign visitors in a single month.
The number of Israeli tourists to visit Antalya has increased by 133.3 percent. Tourists from the United States have also increased by 119 percent, while the number of tourists from Iran dropped by 63 percent. 
While European tourists spend approximately 800 dollars a week in our country, Arab tourists spend four times that amount. The biggest issue in terms of drawing in tourists to the nation’s Eastern Black Sea region is the lack in accommodation.
With the landing of the first flight to arrive to the ATM Dalaman Airport from Blackpool, England passengers were greeted with carnations and Turkish delight upon their arrival. 
The total sum of visiting tourists in Turkey reached 6 million 665 thousand 379 in the first four months of the year.
With 383 beaches, 21 marinas and 13 yachts accredited with Blue Flags, Turkey has now bumped France from its throne to become the third country, following Spain and Greece, to have the highest number of Blue Flags.
Russians residing and vacationing in Antalya's Alanya district commemorated the 68th anniversary of May 9th Victory Day, which marks the Soviet Union’s (USSR) victory over Nazi Germany, in a celebration held at the Goldcity Tourism Complex. 
Miniatürk, a miniature park located on the shore of the Golden Horn in Istanbul which hosts 1/25th scale models of significant structures located throughout the Turkish and Ottoman geography from the past 3,000 years, is seeing an increase in interest every year since it was first opened a decade ago. 
The number of trips taken in Turkey in 2012, decreased by 1.4 percent to reach a total 64,922,000. 
One of India’s most popular magazines, AsiaSpa India has awarded Turkey for being the most favorite spa destination in Europe. 
The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) President Ulusoy: "It is speculated that in 2013 the number of tourists will reach 33 million and tourism revenue will be approximately 31.5 billion dollars.”
The Presidential Çankaya Palace hosted a signing ceremony for eight agreements with Kuwait on Monday. 
The incentives implemented by the government have allowed the nation’s health tourism industry to soar: 250,000 patients from 107 different countries have chosen to receive treatment in Turkey. 
Foreign nationals planning to visit Turkey will now be able to obtain their visas online through an electronic visa application system (e-Visa) launched by the Republic of Turkey on April 17. 
