‘Mesopotamia’ model set to spice up tourism in southeastern Anatolia

Nine southeastern provinces of Anatolia – whose history, culture, gastronomy and nature are registered by UNESCO – are preparing to take advantage of the tourism activity with “Mesopotamia” known as The first goal-oriented regional tourism brand in Turkey.

As part of the tourism-focused promotion and branding project within the Southeastern Anatolia Region (GAP) launched to bring the rich cultural heritage of Adiyaman, Batman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin, Siirt, Şanlıurfa and Şırnak onto the tourist radar and in order to secure regional development, the region is given a global tourist identity through the brand.

“Mesopotamia” will bring the tourism circulation in the region together under one roof.

The brand offers domestic and foreign visitors a mobile travel guide with maps, restaurants, accommodation and city routes.

Foreign tourists who want to tour the southeastern provinces with their ever-growing historical and cultural values ​​can visit all cities that host beautiful places with their unique history, culture, gastronomy and nature, planned and programmed in a period of three to nine days.

Göbeklitepe, Mount Nemrut, Diyarbakır Castle and Hevsel Gardens, Gaziantep with its unique taste, Mardin with its churches and monasteries, Halfeti with natural beauties, Hasankeyf, Botan Valley and Mount Cudi stand out as historical and tourist attractions in the region.

Increasing attention

Tourists have shown interest, especially in cultural routes in the region, said Müslüm Çoban, chairman of the supervisory board of the Turkish tourist guide association and president of the Şanlıurfa regional chamber of tourist guides.

“The whole world knows the region as Mesopotamia. It was a very nice introduction and promotion. We believe that we will positively receive the benefits and income from it in a short time,” Çoban told the Anadolu (AA) agency.

He added that with the coronavirus pandemic slowly ending, there would be increased awareness of the region and the brand.

‘Mesopotamia’, world brand

Mehmet Kamil Türkmen, a member of the Mesopotamian Tourism Platform, said the region had previously been mentioned by GAP tours, but the name was especially difficult for foreign tourists to recognize.

He stressed that “Mesopotamia” is a concept that expresses the historical and cultural past very well.

“Mesopotamia is a global brand. The region is already called Al Jazeera in Islamic civilization and Mesopotamia in Greek culture,” said Türkmen. “Tourists who live abroad can perceive this region when it is called Mesopotamia.”

“If our guests from abroad want to visit the entire region, they travel in nine days. When their time is very limited, they travel to the main provinces in the region and are subject to a four-day itinerary program, ”he said. “We look forward to welcoming all of our tourists. Let them come to Mesopotamia and we will travel through history together.”

One plan, whole region

Soner Bacaksız, board member of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), said the new brand is creating new expectations for tourism in the region.

“The ‘Mesopotamia’ brand is contributing to the growth of interest and demand in the region in the coming days. We are talking about a very large destination that completely covers the south line with the tour route from Gaziantep, ”he said.

He also stressed that the brand will allow tourists to visit the entire region with a single plan.

Mehmet Akyıl, President of the TÜRSAB Diyarbakir region, believes the brand will help make the region’s name known around the world.

Akyıl, who said GAP tours were previously restricted to Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Mardin, expressed that the new nine-provincial brand is much more inclusive.