Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALTAV) President Faik Kaptanoğlu stated in his announcement that the global economic crisis will not harm Turkish tourism as is thought. Kaptanoğlu noted that there will be an increase in the number of tourists coming from Germany this year.
Explaining that they opened an Alanya stand at the ITB Berlin Fair and received very intense interest there, Kaptanoğlu spoke as follows:
''At the ITB Berlin Fair, we saw that great interest was shown to Turkey stands, especially Side and Alanya. The promotional materials we took to distribute at the fair were practically snatched up. We had the opportunity to hold detailed meetings with all the travel agents here. As a result of these meetings we conducted, it emerged that there will be an 8 percent increase in the number of German tourists coming to Turkey this year. This made us very happy. In contrast, it was also determined that German tourists will go to Spain 25 percent less, and to Greece, Egypt, and Tunisia 40 percent less compared to last year. In other words, the global economic crisis affected many countries in tourism. But it appears that Turkey was not negatively affected. That is to say, Turkey will be the country that comes out most profitable from the global economic crisis.''
Explaining that the fact that prices in Turkey are more affordable compared to other countries and that the rise in foreign exchange increases the purchasing power of the European tourist were effective in this, Kaptanoğlu said, ''The quick movement of the Turkish tourism professional and the high quality of hotels in Turkey were also factors that made Turkey stand out.'' Explaining that particularly the sales of Öger Tour are effective in this region, Kaptanoğlu spoke, ''Öger Tour initially released a catalog for only one destination. Of course, the initiatives of our foundation and Mayor Hasan Sipahioğlu played a major role in this. Thanks to this catalog, of which 50 thousand copies were printed and distributed, Öger Tour's highest reservation increase also appears to take place in Alanya at 8 percent.''
RUSSIAN INTEREST WILL ALSO CONTINUE
Stating that, in addition to the Germans, the interest of Russian tourists in Alanya and Turkey continues, Kaptanoğlu said that what happened on the first day of the Moscow Fair proves this.
Expressing that the materials sent to the Alanya stand were practically snatched up and nearly reached the point of running out on the first day, Kaptanoğlu stated that, according to the statements of the travel agents there, it was reported that interest in Turkey is great, and said, ''It is stated that, at least despite this crisis, there will not be a decrease compared to last year.'' Pointing out that materials for children were also distributed for the first time at the Moscow Fair this year, Kaptanoğlu explained that puzzle games and coloring pencils reached the point of running out from the first day.
Stating that ALTAV opened stands by participating in 24 fairs before the 2009 tourism season, Kaptanoğlu noted that they were very selective when participating in fairs. Kaptanoğlu expressed that while determining the fairs planned for participation, they preferred countries that send more tourists to Alanya.