Eight out of 10 Greek tourists and visitors who have traveled to neighboring Turkey at least once (81 percent) are satisfied or very satisfied from their stay, while seven out of 10 (69 percent) said they would visit again.

 

The results come from a study undertaken by the Thessaloniki-based University of Macedonia's Marlab unit, which were presented at a one-day seminar hosted by the Greek-Turkish Chamber of Northern Greece. The latter was held on the sidelines of the major Philoxenia tourism trade show.

 

Based on the results, the positive impression conveyed by respondents is not related to whether or not they have family roots from Asia Minor. As expected, Greek citizens who have visited the neighboring country have a much more positive view of Turkey and Turks, in general, compared to Greeks who have not traveled to Turkey.

 

Istanbul is the primary destination for Greek holiday-makers visiting Turkey, with 68.2 percent of respondents saying they have visited the Bosporus metropolis. The European Turkey border city of Edirne follows with 29.3 of respondents saying they have visited there; 23.7 percent to the Aegean coastal resort of Ayvalık; Izmir (23.1 percent) and ancient Ephesus (22 percent).