ANKARA — Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has unveiled a subsidies plan to support the country’s struggling tourism sector.
The ‘2016 Tourism Action Plan’ consists of subsidies for commercial tourism flights organized by tourism agencies in various classes over differing periods, as well as more than US$1 million worth of incentives for cruise/boat companies and tourist venues.
Davutoglu emphasized that the plan is aimed to bolster the tourism sector after two separate terrorist attacks rocked Turkey. Since the attacks tourism has fallen by 22% and a number of cruise lines and operators planning to come to Turkey have cancelled itineraries in their portfolio offerings.
Also revealed in the plan was a $87 million grant including measures to help tourism firms restructure debt. Davutoglu is reassuring tourism companies worldwide that Turkey and its tourist locations remain safe for visitors.