Minister Ersoy: Inflation reduced the length of stay of tourists

The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, evaluated the tourism data for the first nine months of 2023.

According to the data, in the first nine months of 2023, tourism revenue increased by 20.1 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching 42 billion US dollars, and the number of visitors increased by 12, 4 percent in the same period, reaching 45.2 million. Minister Ersoy noted that adequate progress is being made toward the PMP’s goal of $55.6 billion in tourism revenue.

On the other hand, Ersoy pointed out that the length of stay of foreign visitors around the world has decreased due to inflation, and this is also observed in Turkey.

THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY HAS DECREASED

Minister Ersoy stated that the average length of stay has decreased and made the following statements:

“During this period, the average length of stay decreased 6 percent in the first 9 months to 9.5 nights. The reduction of vacation periods for tourists as a result of the economic crisis and high inflation after the pandemic affecting the entire world, the decrease in the proportion of non-resident Turkish citizens in the total number of visitors, short breaks weekend trips to cities, international events and sporting tournaments and festivals were effective in reducing length of stay. The average length of stay was 10.1 overnight stays in the first 9 months of 2022. The average for the year was 10.3”.

Stating that the number of visitors has regularly increased on a monthly basis compared to the same month of the previous year, Ersoy said: “One of the positive aspects is that despite the many negativities found in the region and in our country at the beginning of 2023 , the number of monthly visitors has continued to increase each month compared to the same month last year.” he spoke she.

Ersoy stated that they estimate the average annual expense per person per night at $100 and continued as follows:

“While it was $89 in 2022, this year we expect it to be $85 in the first quarter, $112 in the second quarter, $103 in the third quarter, and an estimated $96 in the final quarter. We plan to complete the year with an average of $100. There is an increase of 112.7 percent compared to last year. In fact, we see that tourism in Türkiye is taking shape in line with our goals.

We see that per capita spending will be $905 in 2022 and is estimated to be $988 in 2023. The rate of increase in spending per person is below spending per person per night due to the average length of stay. “For us the important figure is the expense per person per night.”

THE ACCOMMODATION SECTOR IS UNDER MINISTERIAL INSPECTION

Furthermore, Ersoy said that by the end of 2024 the entire accommodation sector will be under the supervision of the ministry.

Stating that they implemented a strategy of quality, not quantity, in tourism, Minister Ersoy said: “In the past, some hotels were certified by the municipality or the Ministry of Tourism. With the change we made in the law in 2019, we said that all hotels will have municipal plus ministerial certificates. The transition processes of these hotels are completed quickly. Currently, tourist residences are also certified by the ministry. “By the end of 2024, the entire accommodation sector will be under the supervision of the ministry,” he said.