The ‘Season opening cocktail,’ which was postponed by the Alanya Tourist Operators Association (ALTİD) due to the Soma tragedy, was held at the Rubi Platinum Hotel, which opened its doors to guests for the first time this season. The grand cocktail, which saw high attendance, was attended by Antalya Deputy Governor Recep Yüksel, Alanya District Governor Erhan Özdemir, Alanya Mayor Adem Murat Yücel, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Alanya Coordinator Hüseyin Güney, Alanya Police Chief Erkan Dur, politicians, tourist hotel operators, and agency representatives. Following the dinner served after the cocktail, the veteran artist Ömer Göksel gave a magnificent concert.
‘QUALITY MODEL’ EMPHASIS FOR ALANYA
Speaking at the cocktail, Deputy Governor Yüksel stated that the tourism seasons, including the year 2011, have been at a good level, but noted that there are matters requiring attention when viewed analytically. Yüksel said, “We attach great importance to sectoral and industrial discipline. In this regard, we always cite the harmonious cooperation between our local governments, our district governorship, and all sectors directly affecting tourism as an example on the scale of Alanya. We emphasize that Alanya tourism professionals serve as a quality model both in other destinations of our provinces and on various platforms across our country.”
‘THERE ARE BIG PROJECTS’
Stating that they aim to spread summer tourism across 12 months, Yüksel said, “There are major projects. We are examining many main headings by prioritizing everything from winter tourism to sports tourism, and from health tourism to cultural tourism. But rest assured, cooperation lies beneath all these projects.”
‘WE MUST MAKE AN EFFORT’
District Governor Özdemir, stating that positive developments are occurring regarding Gazipaşa Airport, said in his speech, “We must capture advantages in the global competitive environment and expend intense labor and effort on the sustainability of these advantages.”
‘QUALITY INVESTMENTS ACCELERATE REGIONAL TOURISM’
Beginning his speech by reading congratulatory messages sent by politicians and certain ministers, Burhan Sili, Member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Hotel Association (TÜROFED) and President of ALTİD, stated, “First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the Karaca Family, especially to Mr. Oktay Karaca, who hosted our cocktail and provided Alanya with a very beautiful facility. The increase in similar facilities with high quality standards plays an important role in bringing our regional tourism to better points. Furthermore, the fact that participation in our cocktail is so high expresses both the sector's and the public institutions' and managers' trust and affection for us. In this sense, I also offer my thanks. Following the local elections held at the end of March, we have entered a new process along with the Metropolitan Law. We have to experience this process with its positive or negative aspects. The beginning of every task is difficult and arduous; however, in order to overcome this process as soon as possible and in the most positive way, and to carry our regional tourism to better points, we see the will of every sector.”
‘THERE IS A 17 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE RUSSIAN MARKET’
Emphasizing that the new bed capacity introduced in every new season and the supply-demand ratio formed in the region have put hotels in a difficult position, Sili stated, “According to the airport visitor statistics for the first 5 months, a 4.5 percent increase is seen in Antalya. While there is a 6 percent decrease in the German market, a 17 percent increase is seen in the Russian market. In terms of increasing profitability and maintaining the demand balance despite the increasing supply, the measures needed to extend the season across 12 months remain a priority for all of us.”