Turkish Tourism Sector Expects Dramatic Rise In Domestic Tourists After Ramadan

- Tourism sector representatives have pinned their hopes on a potential post-Ramadan rise in the number of domestic tourists with the help of discount campaigns in hotel prices, especially in Antalya, the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) said July 7.

There has been a dramatic rise in domestic tourists’ demand for hotels in Antalya, which has recently welcomed many fewer Russian tourists than it normally does due to the economic crisis in Russia. Room prices have decreased by around 20 percent this year compared to last year, according to a report by TÜRSAB.

“It is possible to stay at a hotel for 300 Turkish Liras ($112) per night during [Eid al-Fitr], during which prices are higher in normal seasons. Turkish tourists will be able to take a vacation for just 1,000 liras ($373) during the whole Eid” said TÜRSAB head Başaran Ulusoy.

The rate of early reservations has reached 80 percent this year, and there has also been a hike in last-minute reservations, according to the report.

Due to its flexible pricing policy, Antalya has become the first preference of domestic tourists this year, but the demand for the Aegean districts of Bodrum and Çeşme has remained low due to continued high hotel prices, said the report.

Around 35 percent of hotel guests are expected to be Turkish in Antalya. The highest discount is seen in the hotels of Antalya’s Side district at around 35 percent, according to the report.

Around 60-65 percent of Turkish tourists make their hotel reservations with a credit card in four to six instalments.

The number of Turkish tourists is around 5 million in Turkey, while tourism representatives expect to post a total tourist figure of around 42 million or 43 million, including both domestic and foreign tourists.

Some 11 million foreigners visited Turkey in the first five months of the year. The figure was around 37 million last year, making Turkey the sixth most visited country in the world.