The summer season in Turkey, despite its difficult start, is beginning to improve and allows for optimistic forecasts. By all accounts, it may last until November. This assessment was voiced by the Turkish media Oya Narin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Martı Hotel Operations and President of the Association of Investors in Tourism of Turkey (TTYD).
According to her, this year’s season started quite late for many reasons – including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European sanctions, an objective economic crisis, and more. However, now the market is recording serious activity and intensive demand from both the European market.
“We see the interest of British tourists from the Aegean and Antalya, as well as in Istanbul. The Russian market begged at the beginning of the season, but is now gaining momentum. We believe that demand will continue in July and August. From July we enter a busy period. This year we expect that the season will be extended until November, “the Turkish expert reported.
She also cited UNWTO figures, according to which in the first quarter of this year there is an increase in tourist mobility in the world by almost 182 percent compared to the same period in 2021. The number of tourists increased from 41 million to 117 million. Turkey received a signal that it will still be able to close 2022 with a serious increase.
She added that although rising inflation has seriously increased spending in the tourism sector, prices have not risen so much. “As a sector, we have to maintain a very sensitive balance of costs. Inflation is quite high in all our markets. But in hotels, compared to 2019, there is a slight increase in prices – by 5-10%,” – said Ms. Narin.