To “diversify” markets and not reduce hotel prices for Russian tourists, but instead to engage in other markets, Turkey’s tourism experts urged in Alanya. As quoted by the Turkish newspaper Turizm Ajansi, local tourism officials say that the policy of attracting tourists by lowering prices by competing countries such as Egypt, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) “should not worry tourism professionals in Turkey.”
Alania Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALTAV) board member Şükreu Cimrin made this statement: “We must be sure, we must continue to sell our rooms at the prices they deserve without sacrificing Turkish hospitality. Each job has its value,” he said.
Next, the Turkish expert traditionally emphasized that hotel costs have increased due to inflation in the world, due to the increase in the cost of utility services and food prices. “Due to competition between facilities and destinations, tourists can buy holidays at lower prices. In some markets, and the Russian market is one of them, our potential customers react as if they can no longer afford a holiday with us. But we know that Turkey remains not the most expensive and the most affordable market,” Mr. Chimrin further stated. He cited European destinations such as Italy and Spain as examples, saying that compared to them, Turkey remained quite affordable.
“We must continue to sell our rooms at the prices they deserve without jeopardizing the very existence of Turkish hospitality. We should not reduce prices, even if Egypt itself can give a lower price,” said the Turkish expert.
He went on to admit that in Russia “the ruble has also depreciated” and that Russian tourists are “more cautious when they go on holiday”, before calling for “diversification of markets”, with a specific aim: that current prices be accepted. “Russia is an important market, but not our only market,” the Turkish expert concluded.