Tourism professionals want a record in revenue, not in numbers

Despite the effects of the Russo-Ukrainian war, the tourism industry, which is preparing to close the year with 50 million tourists and $44 billion in revenue, launched the message: “Let’s see the price.”

Zafer Alkaya, Board Member of the Association of Mediterranean Tourist Operators and Hoteliers and General Manager of Cornelia Diamond, emphasized that Turkey is the country that provides the best service in the Mediterranean basin, but should focus on the income level adequate per capita. .

Noting that Turkey competes with Spain here, but income is still quite low, Alkaya continued: “We need to focus on income per capita. The occupation will not get us where we want to go. Now what we deserve as Turkish tourism, as Antalya tourism, is to market at the right prices. Adequate per capita income is the future of Turkish tourism. Not fullness. Our opponent is Spain. If we are going to play big, we have to play by the rules of Mediterranean bocce. While our competitor is pushing $1,500 in per capita income, we need to get above $1,000 at least,” he said.

COMPETITION WITH SPAIN

According to TUIK data, per capita income in the third quarter decreased 17.5 percent compared to the same period a year earlier, from $1,036 to $855. Alkaya said that in 2022, the main dilemma of the market was also on the agenda last season, which exceeded expectations, with tourists from 65 countries pouring into Antalya and the number of tourists exceeding 13 million as of November.

Cost increases reach 100 percent

Zafer Alkaya stated that costs are also putting a lot of pressure on them and hotel prices will fluctuate by 25 to 50 percent in 2023. Stating that facilities are having a hard time and price increases have reached an inevitable point Alkaya expressed that they face increases in operating costs at rates that exceed 100 percent from time to time.