In a long-awaited move, Turkey has granted a vaccination priority to workers in the tourism industry, an encouraging development that, sector representatives say, would enable the country to stay a step ahead of its competitors.
Turkey has already been implementing strict safety and hygiene measures, which the government introduced earlier last year.
The Culture and Tourism Ministry has started receiving online applications after the decision to allow workers at the facilities with safe tourism certificates, agency workers, tour guides and drivers to have priority.
This has been a long-awaited decision, says Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TÜRSAB) Chairperson Firuz Bağlıkaya and Turkey Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED) Head Sururi Çorabatır.
“Tourism is the sector that is in contact with foreigners the most. That is why the vaccination is so important,” Bağlıkaya noted. “This step also gives confidence to the tourists who will come to our country.”
“Before, we had the advantage of a safe tourism certificate. Now, we will be one step ahead of our competitors with the vaccination of tourism employees,” said Ülkay Atmaca, the head of the Professional Hotel Managers Association (POYD).
“Vaccination of tourism personnel will give Turkey an advantage in competition.”
