The fact that tourism nations from the Mediterranean Basin are suffering from the economic crisis coupled by the developments following the Arab Spring has resulted in altering the balance of the region's tourism distribution.
The first announcement made by Greece's new Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni, who came on as part of the new government established after the nation came face to face with bankruptcy, was that they would be dropping VAT rates in tourism facilities from 23 percent down to the 12 to 15 percentile level. Speculation is that this move will ignite competition through dropping hotel prices even further. However, approval for the financial resources to allow for this decrease must be met by both the European Parliament and the IMF.
In another attempt to recoup the numbers of tourists from England and Germany that were lost last year, the Greek Tourism Ministry has made a deal with Germany's fifth largest tour operator Alltours while efforts to regain their English market will be done through the support coming in from Europe. Greece has also embarked upon speeding up promotional efforts in a number of nations including Turkey.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to increase the nation's tourism revenue, Spain has announced they have initiated efforts intended to increase tax rates from eight to 18 percent. While this development has created an upheaval in the world of tourism, Michael Frenzel, the CEO of Germany's TUI and the country's largest tour operator states, "You could lose millions of tourists," warning Spain that this move may result in serious repercussions in the nation's tourism sector.
EMPTY SEAT GUARANTY
Egypt has begun drawing in tourists from Europe with a series of incentives including providing fuel for foreign tour operators' planes and offering a guaranty for empty seats on flights. By dropping prices to draw in tourists, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism has ignited competition with rivaling countries. However, due to the 50 degrees Celsius temperatures, Egypt's high season begins after September, which means there is no competition for Turkey.
TURKEY HAS BEGUN TO RALLY
Turkey has begun to recover tourism figures in the middle of the season. According to Sururi Çorabatır, Chairman of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers Union, the economic instability experienced throughout Europe has influenced tourists to take precautions. "If tourists go on two vacations a year, they now ask, will it be Turkey or Spain," says Çorabatır.
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. 
