Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, in his speech at the opening ceremony of Samsun Museum, emphasized that they were happy to bring another contemporary work to Samsun, to these lands where the torch of liberation burns.
Wishing that the Samsun Museum, whose architecture is inspired by the waves of the Black Sea, will be beneficial to the city and the people of Samsun, Ersoy said, “Of course, when we say Samsun, we know that history and culture are very deep-rooted and deep in these lands. Our city has always been an important settlement under the rule of unique civilizations such as Hittite, Persian, Roman, Eastern Roman, Seljuk and Ottoman. The first step taken by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Samsun was the first step of the Turkish nation's independence and future march, which would eventually be crowned with the Republic of Turkey.” he said.
“Today, there is a Türkiye that is a pioneer and an example in museology.”
Minister Ersoy stated that they want museums to be living places and said the following about modern museology studies:
“We want museums not to be places where historical and cultural artifacts are just looked at. As a living, explaining and communicating place, it should serve science, academic studies and social life and be an integral part of them. In line with this goal, we provide each of our museums, whether renovated or newly built, with a concept that will allow versatile use from design to technology, respond to the needs and interests of people from all walks of life and of all ages, and provide the opportunity to have an enjoyable as well as productive time. We have received the reward of this effort and this determination, and we continue to receive it. The tremendous progress we have made in the field of museology in approximately 20 years has been registered with the most prestigious awards in the international arena. “Today, there is a Türkiye that is a pioneer and an example in museology.”
All important artifacts from the region are in Samsun Museum
Explaining that Samsun Archeology and Ethnography Museum started to serve on May 19, 1981, and that it became unable to respond to the increasing number of works over the past 40 years and that they built a new museum, Ersoy said that the architecture of the new museum, inspired by the waves of the Black Sea, was exhibited at the 16th National Architecture Exhibition and Awards. He reminded that he was deemed worthy of an award in the project category in his program.
After the speeches, Minister Ersoy and protocol members inspected the museum and then the opening ribbon was cut.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy attended the Samsun Tourism Master Plan Press Launch held at the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Multi-Purpose Hall after the opening of the Samsun Museum.
In his speech here, Ersoy emphasized that they updated the Turkey Tourism Master Plan in 2021, in consultation with all stakeholders, and that every step to be taken for Turkish tourism must be compatible with this plan.
Stating that the presented Samsun Tourism Master Plan is a very valuable work in this sense, Ersoy emphasized that the plan was shaped, above all, in line with global and regional tourism changes and trends.
Stating that he does not see it as a correct approach for local governments to expect everything from the Ministry in tourism, Minister Ersoy said:
“If you want to turn all the potential of the region into benefit, from introducing and utilizing local riches such as agriculture, gastronomy and traditional arts, to protecting cultural assets, carrying out correct and healthy construction as well as infrastructure and landscaping works, bringing natural riches into the economy by considering the balance of protection and use, Many policies need to be implemented, such as providing proper and sustainable employment opportunities. Almost all of them are within the authority and duty area of our municipalities. Of course, as the Ministry, we always support our municipalities. Until today, we have not withheld our support from our municipalities, both within the framework of our responsibilities and when the need arose, even if it was not our duty. "The works built, the investments and the appropriations are obvious."
Ersoy underlined that one of their most important goals since the day they took office was to make Turkish tourism active for 12 months and to ensure that 81 provinces get the share they deserve from tourism by making them the subject of this movement with their own riches.
Minister Ersoy stated that they showcased the regions and provinces in national and international tourism with the riches they have, from promotion to gastronomy and archaeology, and stated that "Provincial Promotion and Development Cooperation Protocols" were signed in 81 provinces, and the Provincial Promotion and Development Boards established within the scope of the program operate under the chairmanship of the governorship.
“Türkiye has become the country with the most intense and effective promotion in the world.”
Minister Ersoy pointed out that tourism, whose subject is human, is affected by wars, humanitarian crises, disasters, political tensions and global economic fluctuations and said, “However, we never compromised on our determination to move Turkish tourism forward and as a result, we closed 2023 with records again. One of the factors that bring success is undoubtedly the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA). Since its establishment in 2019, it has done a tremendous job in the areas of promotion, communication and situation management, standing out from the international institutions established 60-70 years ago. It continues this performance today. So much so that today, Turkey has become the country with the most intense and effective promotion in the world.” he said.
Stating that another important element for success is product and market diversity, Ersoy said:
“We planned and implemented our work with an understanding that sees every destination Turkish Airlines flies to as a market for ourselves. We also increased the number of direct flights to our country's main tourism destinations. In order for these to yield results, we started to offer a variety of products that will attract different tourist profiles. Today, there is a Turkey that offers more than 60 products, from gastronomy to archaeology, from blue cruises to train travel, from faith routes to festivals and cruise destinations. Finally, we initiated the transition from quantity to quality. In fact, the primary goal of the other two elements was to bring qualified tourists to our country. "The level reached by our tourism revenues and the serious upward trend we have achieved in per capita nightly spending are numerical proof that we have achieved this."
Stating that qualified personnel is also very important in tourism, Ersoy explained that they have made a serious change in education for this reason.
Minister Ersoy added that they are determined to make Turkish tourism one of the constant names in the race for the top in the world in the Turkey Century.
AK Party Deputy Chairman and Samsun Deputy Çiğdem Karaaslan also pointed out that a new era has begun for Samsun.
Emphasizing that Samsun is a very beautiful city, Karaaslan said, “All these beauties will turn into a brand value. I believe that what is local will also be universal. Samsun has a very strong infrastructure. We will experience a process in which we will host millions of people in Samsun with the Culture Road Festival. Samsun is a city that can overcome all this. But with this master plan, he will take all these steps much more confidently.” said.
Governor Orhan Tavlı, Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Planning and Budget Commission and AK Party Samsun Deputy Mehmet Muş and Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Demir also made a speech.
After the speeches, Minister Ersoy and protocol members took a group photo. Ersoy then left the city.