Qualifying travel agencies which bring tourists to Turkey via certain airports during April and May 2016 will receive US $6,000 per flight from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism ("Ministry"). To qualify, flights must arrive between 1 April 2016 and 31 May 2016, via airports at Gazipaşa, Antalya, Dalaman and Milas–Bodrum (for scheduled or non-scheduled flights), as well as via İzmir Adnan Menderes and Kütahya Zafer airports (non-scheduled flights).

The Council of Ministers rendered the decision on 11 January 2016 (number 2016/8508), after the Ministry's approval on 28 December 2015 (numbered 244284).

Three license classes exist for travel agencies in Turkey, allowing license holders to conduct different scopes of activity depending on their license. The decision at hand relates only to Group (A) travel agencies, which have the broadest license scopes.

The Ministry previously granted support to travel agencies bringing passengers from thirteen specific countries. However, the latest decision expands support to include tourists from all countries, as well as adds Kütahya Zafer airport to the list of qualifying airports.

If passengers from different travel agencies arrive on a flight, the support will be divided between those agencies on a pro rata basis. The Ministry will give priority to requests by agencies transporting their passengers in a single flight.

To receive the support, travel agencies must present documents to the Ministry proving they have brought tourists to Turkey via the noted airports. The Ministry will make payments by the fifteenth of the following month after examining the application. Payments will be make in Turkish Lira, using the USD:TRY exchange rate which applies on the payment date.

Please see this link for the full text of the Ministry's Decision (only available in Turkish).

Information first published in the MA | Gazette, a fortnightly legal update newsletter produced by Moroğlu Arseven.

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