Turkish travel agencies visited Lebanon on Wednesday to seek cooperation opportunities.

Representatives of 45 travel agencies, headed by Basaran Ulusoy, the chairman of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB), sought ways to boost cooperation with Lebanon after two countries lifted visa procedures.

"Cooperation opportunities in tourism have increased after the removal of visa," Ulusoy told AA correspondent.

Lebanon is the first stop of TURSAB, which aims to visit 60 countries in five years to improve Turkey's tourism.

Ulusoy defined Lebanon as a significant market for Turkey.

Also speaking to AA correspondent, Turgut Gur, the chairman of Executive Board of Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TYD), said Turkish tourism investors could make hotel investments in Beirut and manage hotels there.

The delegation will visit tourist attractions and meet representatives of tourism agencies in Lebanon.

Only 76,000 Lebanese people visited Turkey in 2009.

On January 11, 2010, Turkey and Lebanon decided to reciprocally lift visa procedures.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs & Emigrants Ali al-Shami signed the agreement on reciprocal removal of visa requirements.

Under the agreement, Turkish and Lebanese citizens will be exempt from visa reciprocally for their stay in each other's territories no longer than 90 days.



AA