To find a “long-term realistic solution” to the problem of refugees from the disaster zone, who are now provided with accommodation in hotels in the resorts of Turkey, called on the country’s hoteliers. Otherwise, the summer tourist season will be jeopardized.
At the moment, as the hotels told the Turkish media, a huge number of Turkish hotels voluntarily and free of charge opened their doors to the earthquake victims.
“However, hoteliers are already emphasizing: everyone understands the situation – millions of people were left without a roof over their heads, and help was urgently needed, which is why the hotels provided their rooms to the victims. But the summer tourist season is ahead, and if refugees are not provided with another shelter, then tourists will be accommodated there will also be nowhere,” the newspaper notes.
At the same time, hoteliers emphasize that no one, of course, plans to put victims of a natural disaster on the street.
“But hotels are also a business. We urge government officials to realize the fact that the problem cannot be solved only by emotions and personal efforts. Mercy must be combined with reality,” Tourprom said in a statement.
According to the plan presented by the businessmen, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury should negotiate with hotels and “work out a solution on a realistic basis.”
“For example, if 10-15 percent of the capacity of each hotel is reserved for earthquake victims, and the public administration covers the costs, this would be a realistic solution. While the public administration fulfills its duties, hotels also provide this service by donating their assistance to the victims of the earthquake from their operating profits,” the hoteliers explained.
The publication also notes that the European market has begun to wonder whether the summer season will take place in Turkey. It is alleged that five days ago, experts from European news agencies already calculated and presented to the public that tens of thousands of victims had already been relocated to hotels, and their number could still grow when those who now live in temporary tent camps in destroyed cities.
The publication also cites a statement by Reuters, according to which more than 28 thousand people were taken out of the earthquake zone – “they are planned to be placed in hotels in resorts such as Antalya, Alanya, Marmaris, Fethiye, Bodrum, as well as Izmir and Cappadocia.”