Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Nabi Avci was on a visit to Israel this week, the first high-ranking Turkish official to visit the country. The visit marked an important step in the reconciliation between Turkey and Israel since diplomatic ties were renewed last year.

"We discussed strengthening relations between the two countries," said Avci at a joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart Yariv Levin.

"There were 260,000 Israelis who visited Turkey last year and I think it is possible to raise the number to 600,000 as it was in previous years," the Turkish minister said. Avci.

"We are following in many aspects the measures that were taken in Turkey many years ago to build their tourism industry," said Minister Levin.