Ways to promote Bahraini-Turkish tourism highlighted

Manama, Aug 7 (BNA): Turkish Ambassador to Bahrain Hatun Demirer today said that the security situation in Turkey is back to normal following the July 15 failed coup attempt, adding that tourists from around the world have begun arriving in Turkey at the usual annual figures. Ambassador Demirer, during a meeting with travel and tourism agents in Bahrain, stressed her country's keenness to promote tourism with Bahrain in line with the firm historical relations between the two countries. She expressed her country's resolve to strengthen its standing as a tourist destination, as well as therapeutic and cultural attraction, pointing out its strategic geographic location connecting Asia and Europe. She said that more than 30,000 Bahraini tourists visited Turkey in 2015, expressing optimism that the number will increase during 2016. She underlined the importance of the tourism sector in supporting the Bahraini and Turkish economies, and attracting new investment ideas in the interest of the two countries. She noted Gulf Air, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines provided air services between Bahrain and several Turkish cities. Demirer said that the meeting aims to discuss the major challenges facing tourism movement between the two countries and to seek out new solutions to promote the flows of tourists and to benefit from the procedures provided by both countries for visitors. She emphasized her appreciation of the efforts of Bahrain's government and private sectors to reinforce economic relations with Turkey, mainly tourism.