The phenomenon of racism has grown in Turkey in recent years, against immigrants and refugees in general and Arabs in particular, and has become a real threat not only to the Arab presence in Turkey but to the security and stability of the Turkish state, with multiple reasons driving this growth, and multiple parties involved in this phenomenon.

The growth of racism in any society is evidence of a defect not only in policies but in the structure of these societies, and with the inability to deal effectively with this phenomenon, the repercussions will not stop at the borders of the security and stability of the ruling political system in these countries, but will extend to security and stability. Countries and peoples, and their ability to remain united, and history is full of dozens of experiences about cases of social collapse in the face of the growth of racism, nationalism, and extremism, some of them in some countries.

Turkey’s tourism revenues cover nearly half of its current account deficit, and the sector is always described as a “factory without smokestacks,” in reference to the large output that feeds the treasury and the pockets of citizens and stakeholders. Official data indicate that tourism revenues in Turkey increased by 23.1 percent in the second quarter of 2023, consisting of April, May, and June, compared to the same quarter of the previous year, reaching 12 billion, 975 million, and 307 thousand dollars.

In this quarter, the total number of visitors to Turkey reached 13,633,877, including 1,350,164 Arab tourists. Thus, the share of Arab tourism in Turkey during the past months of the current year is estimated at 10 percent. Cem Polatoglu, spokesman for the “Tour Operators” platform in Turkey, believes that “tourism in the country is not only a tourism sector,” but rather feeds 54 other sectors, such as agriculture, animal husbandry, textiles, gastronomy, souvenirs, items and services, carpets and jewellery.” He says: “ It is enough to think that 50 million tourists can eat one egg, drink beer, and buy a souvenir T-shirt every day of Turkey.” Moreover, Polatoglu adds: “Foreigners who come to Turkey and try textiles, white goods, food and beverages want to use these products in their country.”

For years, Arab tourists have preferred Trabzon as their primary destination, in addition to Bodrum and other areas in Istanbul. But with the repeated attacks that have been documented recently, and the negativity and hostility shown by polls towards Arabs, will you travel there again?