Receiving so many tourists from Gulf countries in recent years, Trabzon will host the Turkish-Arab Folklore Festival.
Attracting attention due to its nature, history and cultural artifacts, Trabzon is among the most popular places visited by tourists from Gulf Arab countries.
Arab tourists visiting the city have a chance to familiarize with the local culture while enjoying the fresh air of the mountains and highlands like Uzungöl.
The Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TTSO) is working to increase income from tourists in parallel with the increase in the number of visiting Arabs in recent years.
The TTSO and Arab Tourism Organization are organizing the Turkish-Arab Folk Dance Festival, which will take place in August, giving locals a chance to share their culture with Arab tourists.
TTO Chairman Suat Hacısalihoğlu told Anadolu Agency (AA) that tourist activities have already started in Trabzon and they expect an overcrowding after Ramadan Holiday.
Explaining that summer reservations are still open, Hacısalioğlu said: "Trabzon was visited by 361,799 domestic and foreign tourists in the first five months of 2017. Although the season has just opened recently, the occupancy rates at hotel are close to 100 percent."
GOAL OF 12-MONTH TOURIST SEASON
Stressing that they are working to elongate the tourist season to 12 months by promoting the city more, Hacısalihoğlu said: "We are organizing a folk dance festival aimed at attracting Arab tourists to Trabzon. This festival is really important in terms of offering tourists activities that reflect their culture. For the festival, every week an Arab country will present their folklore. I believe that the organization will greatly contribute to Trabzon's promotion."
Hacısalihoğlu said that the festival will last for a month, and added: "Our aim is to attract more tourists to the city, and presenting them the culture and traditions of the area to be able to offer perfect tourism services. Hence, I expect that this organization will affect the city in a positive way."