Scary earthquake in Istanbul: Big drop in food and beverage sector and tourism
The destruction caused by the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, which killed tens of thousands of people, in the economy spread to Istanbul.
Both psychologically affected by the suffering experienced in 10 provinces and the fear of waiting for a major earthquake in Istanbul, negatively affected the food and beverage industry and the tourism industry.
Speaking to Sozcu.com.tr, the president of the Association of All Restaurants and Tourism (TÜRES), Ramazan Bingöl, said that since the earthquake occurred on February 6, there has been a decrease of 50 to 70 percent in the restaurant business, especially the expectation. of ‘there will be an earthquake in Istanbul’. He explained that there were serious reservation cancellations due to the panic it generated.
According to Yüksel Türemez, Chairman of the Board of Representatives of TÜRSAB Istanbul Bosphorus Region, on sozcu.com.tr, with the number of tourists expected to come to Istanbul due to the earthquake, there is expected to be a loss of 30 – 40 percent in tourism revenue throughout the year.
40 PERCENT OF RESERVATION CANCELLATIONS ARE FROM TOURISTS
TÜRES President Bingöl explained that after the great pain caused by the earthquakes on February 6, people were affected psychologically and began to think ‘how should we eat’, which led to a 50% job loss in the first place. percent.
Stating that the panic spread to tourists with the increase in posts about the big earthquake expected in Istanbul, Bingöl said: “Job loss has reached 70 percent. There was a serious reservation cancellation in February. 30-40 percent of the cancellations came from tourists. If it continues like this, there will be serious declines in tourism receipts in March, April and May,” he said.
‘THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS COMING TO ISTANBUL COULD DROP TO 8 MILLION’
The booking cancellations in the food and beverage sector were actually due to the fact that a significant part of the foreign tourists expected to come to Turkey did not arrive.
Reminding that tourism is adversely affected by security issues, TÜRSAB Istanbul Bosphorus Regional Representative Board Chairman Yüksel Türemez said: “The earthquake is also a security issue and we are sure to be affected negatively for this security issue. In February, there was a decrease in the number of tourists. The cancellations in the gastronomy sector are actually related to the fact that the tourists we bring do not come.
“I think the loss that the earthquakes will cause in Istanbul will be in the range of 30-40 percent throughout the season,” Türmez said, estimating that this figure could drop to 8 million, while more than 14 million are expected. tourists. come to istanbul this year.
Noting that they will see the net loss of bookings for Turkey at the ITB Berlin show that will take place on March 7-9, Türemez said: “It is certain that the earthquake and the expectation of an earthquake in Istanbul will have a negative impact on tourism, but we will see their perspectives clearly at the Berlin fair”.
‘HOTELS CAN DIE IN PRICE’
Türmez also conveyed the expectation that hotels may reduce prices to tolerate the expected loss of tourists in Istanbul:
“If a significant audience is seen to want to come, hotels may try to make up for the loss by lowering prices. There may be a slight price volatility to avoid the decrease in the number of incoming tourists. In this context, the average room prices can be reduced from 100 to 80 euros so that the guest can come to Turkey”.