Gaziantep Aims to Become Attraction Center

Gaziantep, a province in southeastern Turkey, aims to develop its tourism sector as an alternative for the city's industry, according to its mayor, Asım Güzelbey.

"A great success story has emerged in Gaziantep in recent years. Some historical assets and cultural wealth hiding in old, dusty boxes have started to emerge."

Speaking at an in-service training meeting of a tour guide association, Güzelbey said that Gaziantep had become successful in industry but it should be supported by culture, art and tourism.

Complimenting industrialists for their work in Gaziantep, Güzelbey said, "As local administrators, we must reveal and assess the jewels of the city."

Commenting on the city's long history and cultural wealth, he said: "The ancient city of Karkamış is near Gaziantep. Both Japan's prince and Italian Prime Minister [Silvio] Berlusconi are trying to get the excavation works in Karkamış for their own countries' archaeologists. They are in a fierce competition. Once Karkamış has been excavated, hidden information from the late Hittite period is expected to come out. This place will become a gorgeous ancient city, just like ancient Ephesus."

Güzelbey also said: "Rumkale, a powerful fortress on the river Euphrates, displays many historical artifacts of Christianity. Zeugma, an ancient city of Commagene, is also known all over the world. The world's most famous mosaics have been found in Zeugma and, at the moment, a 1,500-square meter mosaic is ready to be exhibited. If we display them, we will have the largest mosaic museum in the world."

Speaking on the municipality's restoration studies to protect Gaziantep's historical treasures, Güzelbey about the funds obtained from the European Union for the restoration of many historical places.

Municipalities' biggest problem is finding financial resources, he said. "Resources are in the hands of the EU. It is not proper to look for sources just in the municipality's central administration or the Provincial Bank. It is time to change the mentality."

Noting that the construction of the Zeugma Mosaic Museum and Culture Center is complete, Güzelbey said a protocol had been signed with the Culture and Tourism Ministry, and that the management of the museum would be handedto the ministry next month.

Güzelbey noted that the aim was to make Gaziantep an attraction center. "We cannot load the city's burden on industry. We should develop an alternative for industry. It is crucial to reveal the city's historical assets for both employment and the development of the city."

Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=southeastern-city-aims-to-become-attraction-center-2009-11-24