'2019 will be Turkish Culture Year in Russia': Minister Kurtulmuş

Turkey's culture and tourism minister on Tuesday opened Turkey's giant stall at Russia's biggest tourism event.

Speaking at the 25th Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (MITT), Numan Kurtulmuş said that after two challenging years, Turkey's tourism market recovered in 2017.

"Some 4.7 million Russian tourists visited Turkey last year. Attracting a total of 32.4 million foreign visitors, Turkey returned as a major tourism destination in the world market."

Kurtulmuş said tourism and culture bring nations closer together.

"The Russian market has great importance for Turkish tourism. 2019 will be the Year of Turkish Culture in Russia, and the Year of Russian Culture in Turkey, giving our two nations the chance to know each other better," he said.

Turkey's 1,254-square-meter stall at the fair features seven different sections reflecting the nation's rich cultural heritage.

Turkey has been continuously represented in the fair since it began in 1994, and at last year's fair it won the Best Destination Presentation award.