150 million is the potential number of European retirees who, according to tourism experts, may move to the resort province of Antalya and its surroundings this winter, CNNturk reported. “Living in Europe is more expensive than vacationing in Antalya,” said representatives of the tourism sector, noting that a vacation in Turkey will cost an average of only 21 euros per day. In fact, due to the rising cost of living, the great migration has already begun. For example, Germans — the main source of tourists this summer season in Turkey — have been massively buying winter passes at early booking prices since mid-July.
Antalya, which is one of the most important tourist destinations in Turkey, has already started making its plans for winter tourism. Tourism professionals, who have chosen the 150 million or so retirees living in Europe as their target market, believe that the rapidly rising cost of living in Europe will pave the way for winter tourism in Antalya. Thus, 30-year-old tourists and head of the working group on tourism of the Antalya City Council, Recep Yavuz, who prepared a special study on this issue, emphasized that the rapidly rising energy prices in Europe will force pensioners to move.
Here is an excerpt from the expert’s research: “According to the latest observations, in Germany compared to last year natural gas has increased by 95 percent, gasoline by 35 percent, electricity by 15 percent, and food and beverages by 20 percent. According to the Federal Consumer Agency of Brandenburg, this year families with two children will have to pay 3,461 euros more for petrol, natural gas, electricity, and drinks than last year (Europeans working with school-age children have a harder time leaving for winter than pensioners ). So far it is.
In Germany, there is a general rule for the household budget: 50-30-20. Accordingly, 50% of expenses are for a house, accommodation, car, food, heating, and housing, 30% for leisure, books, sports, entertainment, and personal expenses, and 20% for loans, savings, and various insurance policies. So, the main expenses are related to the house and housing. A retiree who knows this well wants to avoid this gloomy period. Now all they have in mind is to escape to sunny countries for a few months to avoid rising costs.”
According to the analyst, while retirees were looking at the idea of moving and waiting for a trigger event, travel agencies had already decided that Europeans would spend the winter in Turkey: “Long-term vacation packages have always existed, but this year the demand for them is expected to be high due to circumstances A few months ago, travel agencies gave a signal to European retirees about the attractiveness of moving to warm countries for the winter by offering attractive prices. For example, Antalya stands out from its competitors with its long-term accommodation package: a choice of 3- to 5-star hotels, breakfast and all-inclusive options, easy access from Europe, healthcare infrastructure, and attractive prices set Antalya apart from its competitors.”
The specialist gave an example of prices. For example, a tourist will pay 1,209 euros for a 4-star hotel in the popular Kumko resort, located 3 km from Side and 65 km from Antalya. The package will include 56 nights of accommodation in the period from November 15, 2022, to January 10, 2023 and will receive the following services: air tickets on the route Germany – Antalya – Germany, all-inclusive accommodation, train tickets to the airport in Germany, transfer from Antalya airport to the hotel Thus, the daily expenses of a tourist in Antalya will be only 21 euros, including food, drink and accommodation.
“If he spends the same period at home, he cannot live on 21 euros a day, especially in winter. Besides, on a rainy Berlin day, Antalya is much more attractive than closing the vents and curling up in a blanket waiting for winter to pass. Thus, the picture is already clear: living in Europe this winter is more expensive than vacationing in Antalya,” Redzep Yavuz explained.
In addition, he noted that the offers offered by Antalya vary depending on the hotel and services. For example, wintering in a 3-star hotel will cost less – for 56 days, a tourist will pay 511 euros, and in an ultra-luxurious 5-star hotel – 9,892 euros. In total, the resort province offered European retirees 152 hotels and 50,000 places for any budget.