Number of Israeli tourists to Turkey up by over 60%

MUGLA, Turkey

Turkey has seen a boost in the number of Israeli tourists following the normalization of ties last summer, according to the owner of a tour company in the southwestern province of Mugla, which is home to popular holiday resorts such as Bodrum and Marmaris.

"We were planning to bring 2,500 Israeli tourists in March and April, but the number has already exceeded 4,000," Kaan Yardacilar told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.

"In 2016, we brought 6,500 tourists to Marmaris. This number will likely double or even triple this year," he said.

He also noted a change in the profile of Israeli tourists traveling to Turkey.

"Tourists who came from Israel in the last two years were Muslim Arab citizens. But this year's first and second groups who came to Marmaris were all Jewish.

"It looks like 2017 will be much better than last year," he said.

Turkey and Israel renewed ties in June 2016 following a six-year split over the attack on the Mavi Marmara humanitarian aid ship. Israeli commandos had killed 10 Turkish activists aboard the Gaza-bound vessel.

*Reporting by Sabri Kesen; Writing by Safvan Allahverdi

MUGLA, Turkey

"We were planning to bring 2,500 Israeli tourists in March and April, but the number has already exceeded 4,000," Kaan Yardacilar told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.

"In 2016, we brought 6,500 tourists to Marmaris. This number will likely double or even triple this year," he said.

He also noted a change in the profile of Israeli tourists traveling to Turkey.

"Tourists who came from Israel in the last two years were Muslim Arab citizens. But this year's first and second groups who came to Marmaris were all Jewish.

"It looks like 2017 will be much better than last year," he said.

*Reporting by Sabri Kesen; Writing by Safvan Allahverdi