Turkey to open ‘Islamic resorts’ for Iranians
Ankara lures Iranian tourists with 'Islamic hotels' with separate swimming pools for men, women.
ANKARA - Turkey has for years been a top summer destination for Iranian holidaymakers attracted by beaches where they don't have to abide by strict Islamic codes in place in Iran.
The fact that Islamic Republic citizens can visit Turkey without a visa makes the country even more popular, with Iranians enjoying a range of activities banned at home - like drinking spirits, wearing bikinis and listening to live music - at top seaside resorts, mostly in Antalya.
In order to accommodate the increasing demand while appeasing Tehran's 'moral' concerns, the Turkish government has now agreed to allow the construction of 'Islamic hotels'.
The compromise in the Muslim majority yet secular country occurred after Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tried to block the flow of Iranians travelling to Turkey last year by withdrawing the authorisation for charter flights to Antalya to two air carriers last year.
In 2006 as many as one million Iranians vacationed in Turkey.
However, after talks between Turkish and Iranian authorities, the flights have now resumed in view of the summer holidays while new 'Islamic hotels' along with the six already existing since 2002 have been built at top seaside resorts to house a prayer room, separate swimming pools for men and women and beaches separating genders.
They will also not serve alcohol.
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Pertinent Links:
1) Turkey to open ‘Islamic resorts’ for Iranians
Thursday, June 14, 2007
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