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Was there an explosion in tourism this year?
No, there wasn't. 35,000 new beds were added in Antalya, all of them in 5-star hotels. Demand only rose by 3%, although it was expected to rise by 30%. It did reach this figure in June, but dropped after the bombings. In August, the highest season, demand was down 25% compared to last year. All-inclusive prices fell from 90 Euros to 35 Euros.
What is your opinion of all-inclusive hotels?
I believe the system is a quagmire. Turkey came up with it during the economic difficulties following the Gulf crisis.
Does the system have any benefits?
It brings foreign currency into the country. Last year, 15 million USD came into the country. This year should be about the same. But profits are very low. Hotels drop their prices to try to fill up the hotel. Plus, this system attracts low-income tourists who never venture outside their hotel.
How can Turkey overcome this problem?
If Turkey experienced 4-5 years of a stable economy and good security, prices would begin to rise gradually, as would quality.
How can we compete with other nations?
We have to stop building hotels in Antalya and start looking for other destinations, such as Datça. We should promote holidays on the Black Sea plateaus and our ski centres should be improved.
Are there any other factors to bear in mind?
The tourism revenue obtained from hotels is actually very low. This is true all around the world. However, 99% of our revenue comes from hotels, and only 1% from tours of Anatolia. That's why we need new destinations.
Do you have a model in mind?
The Ministry of Tourism has to make tourism planning a part of their state policy. They must make short, medium and long-term projections that include all the forms of tourism that we have mentioned. In addition, they should facilitate the construction and sale of holiday homes in Turkey to German, Arab and French clients who would spend 6 months a year in Turkey and provide a huge source of income for the country.
