Turkey eyes one million tourists from Ukraine

KIEV, Ukraine

Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mahir Unal has said he expects a million tourists from Ukraine this year.

Addressing the media after his visit to Turkey's booth at the 22nd International Tourism and Travel Fair in Ukraine Wednesday, Unal said ties between Ukraine and Turkey in social, tourism and cultural domains have improved manifolds.

"Ukraine is not just a neighbor for us, it is also a country with which we have been holding high-level strategic cooperation," the minister said.

Despite an economic crisis in Ukraine, he said, there is an increase in number of visitors from the country, adding the number for 2015 stood at 700,000.

"Our target for this year is to ensure a million tourists," Unal said.

The Turkish minister said relations with Ukraine were based on mutual respect, adding the two countries were owners of the same historical cultural heritage.

"Therefore, it is highly essential to plan our region together in terms of tourism, [and] joint cultural heritages," he added.

KIEV, Ukraine

Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mahir Unal has said he expects a million tourists from Ukraine this year.

"Ukraine is not just a neighbor for us, it is also a country with which we have been holding high-level strategic cooperation," the minister said.

Despite an economic crisis in Ukraine, he said, there is an increase in number of visitors from the country, adding the number for 2015 stood at 700,000.

"Our target for this year is to ensure a million tourists," Unal said.

The Turkish minister said relations with Ukraine were based on mutual respect, adding the two countries were owners of the same historical cultural heritage.

"Therefore, it is highly essential to plan our region together in terms of tourism, [and] joint cultural heritages," he added.