After weathering a heavy blow in 2020, the tourism sector could grow by 25% by 2022 compared to 2019 if the vaccine rollout this year is done transparently and well, according to an industry leader.
A loss of $1 trillion in revenues from tourism globally is expected in a pessimistic scenario, Bulut Bağcı, head of the UK based World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI), told Anadolu Agency (AA) Wednesday.
But, he added, "under an optimistic scenario, there will be no loss when the vaccination is delivered transparently."
Countries around the world have begun administering several COVID-19 vaccines hoped to stem the spread of the virus in 2021.
Turkey headed for top
Touching on Turkey's pledge of a new era of reforms in the economy and judiciary, in particular under new economic management as of last November, Bağcı said international funds are showing great interest in the country.
"Istanbul, Bodrum and Antalya on the Turkish Riviera stand out in terms of hotel investments. The return on investments is faster in the luxury segment."
He added that Turkey will be among the world's top four countries in tourism, bolstered in part by the strength of its health care system.
"Tourists visiting Turkey after 2020 will be from the middle and upper segments of the tourism industry," he said.
