The implication of the Turkish tourism development
policy is clear. The opportunity to derive foreign exchange
from tourism export and employment created by
the tourism industry are opportunities not easily ignored.
Thus, tourism is too important to leave to the lower level
of governmental bodies rather than cabinet level. Not
surprisingly, tourism as a primary source of foreign currency
earning and employment generation is perceived as
a national priority that pre-dominates over secondary
objectives and wider issues such as preserving cultural
heritage, environment, fair distribution of economic
growth, etc. all of which comprise the principles of sustainable
tourism development.