'Tourism Management Project Assignment / International Tourism Management Collage, ITM Collage, Semmering - Austria, 2008'
Turkey should be separated into 2 parts before and after the Republic of Turkey. During the period of Ottoman Empire, Orient Express can be practically regarded as an activity which enabled tourism to be born in Turkey. Railway was the most useful way to travel and it was theonly tourism infrastructure at those times.
In 1923, Republic of Turkey was founded and tourism began to change as the society of Turkey transformed into new, modern society. Some guilds related to tourism began to be established. Another big step was the foundation of Turkish Airlines in 1925. Tourism evidently developed until the World War II. During the World War II, tourism in Turkey was affected as happened in the other countries.
After the World War II, tourism industry began to be concerned governmentally. A new legislation in order to stimulate entrepreneurs to invest on tourism by giving credit with very low interest was come into force. There is no doubt that it would affect the whole tourism industry within following years.
Foundation of TÜRSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies) enabled tourism industry to get organized easier. Nevertheless industry did not have a legislation which rules the sector. Because of that the Law of Travel Agencies and The Association of Travel Agencies was put into action in 1972.
Also, airports were being constructed and terminals upgraded to handle ever-growing passenger traffic. Several maritimeports were either under construction or being planned to relieve congestion around Turkey's industrial and commercial centers within those periods. As the superstructure side, numbers OF ACCOMMODATION establishments was increasing and new travel agencies was opening.
Turkey is destination of mostly leisure travelers, business travelers and sightseeing travelers. Coastal tourism is much more developed than the other tourism fields. Turkey has been a centre of sightseeing travelers through wealth of its historical sites.