In an attempt to boost tourism and restore normalcy in tourism sector in Turkey in the post pandemic scenario, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Turkey recently welcomed ambassadors of the countries and the International media in Antalya. The meeting, which was held on 19-20 June, gave the dignitaries and ambassadors an opportunity to experience Turkey’s “Safe Tourism” practices.

“ReTurkey” meeting helped the participants observe on site all details a tourist will encounter as well as all safety measures that will be taken under the “Safe Tourism Certification Program” from the airplane to the airport, transfer vehicle to the hotel.

Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey welcomed in Antalya ambassadors of the top countries sending tourists to Turkey and the international media to give the world a demonstration of the tourism services Turkey will render during the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic as the first country in Europe to launch a safe tourism certification system.

Guests had a chance to experience on site the safe tourism service with the “ReTurkey” program, led by the Minister of Tourism and Culture Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.

Minister Ersoy came together with guests and expressed their pleasure with having the chance to extend the Turkish hospitality to international guests in the first day of the meeting in Antalya, one of the most visited cities in Turkey.

Noting that they found a chance to demonstrate to the rest of the world through the ambassadors and the international media the trailblazing “Safe Tourism” measures taken by Turkey, Ersoy underlined that “Our Safe Tourism Certification Program is among the firsts in the world in several respects.”

Adding that the program allowed them to show how seriously Turkey took the issue of safe tourism, Minister Ersoy continued: “We would like take this opportunity to remind our guests that we will be looking forward to welcome their citizens to Turkey after the resumption of international flights. Observing the positive impression made by the measures we have taken on our guests further confirms the expediency of our Safe Tourism Certification program. We considered all the details for our guests who want to have a holiday in our country.”

Stating that the number of Safe Tourism Certification applications and certified facilities have increased rapidly, Minister Ersoy pointed out that the number of Covid-19 cases is quite low in touristic cities such as, Antalya, Kuşadası and Bodrum.

Minister Ersoy said, “Thanks to our thousands of healthcare professionals working here, these cities are also health centers as well as tourism,” and added, “We thought of all the details for our guests who want to have a holiday in our country during the epidemic period. As of July 1st, we have created a health insurance package that includes Covid-19 for our foreign guests visiting our country. All health expenses up to 3 thousand, 5 thousand and 7 thousand Euros can be covered within the scope of 15, 19, and 23 Euro insurance packages that can be purchased through contracted airlines, various sales points before passport control, tour operators, and online channels. Our guests can feel comfortable, just like the Safe Tourism Certificate, we are thinking for all of the details on behalf of them. “ReTurkey” meeting will be concluded with a special concert to be organized by the Directorate General of State Opera and Ballet at the Aspendos Ancient Theater.

Thanks to Turkey’s “Safe Tourism Certificate”, all guests will have peace of mind throughout their vacation in Turkey.

Launched by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism and designed and implemented jointly by the public and the private sector in record-breaking time, the “Safe Tourism Certificate” introduces new measures across a wide spectrum ranging from transportation to accommodation, facility personnel to the passengers’ state of health.