Elvan Güneş, Board Member of the Alanya Tourist Operators Association (ALTİD) and the Alanya Promotion Foundation (ALTAV), monitored the pulse of the market at the tourism fair held in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. In light of the meetings she conducted, Güneş shared her impressions and stated the following regarding the resolution of the difficulties experienced in the Romanian market:
“TUI PARTNER NOVA TRAVEL FORECASTS AN INCREASE”
We participated as ALTAV at the Ministry stand in the 33rd TTR 2015 Tourism Fair, held at Romexpo between March 12-15. At the fair, which was carried out under the coordination of our Bulgarian Tourism Promotion Counselor, we took part as the Ministry with a 102-square-meter area and 16 participants. Our Bulgarian Promotion Counselor, Mr. Cemal Tekkanat, visited our stand. I presented him with a flower-motif painting made from silk cocoons, which was sent by Alanya Municipality. On the first day of the fair, we met with Liliana Alexandrescu, a consultant from Nova Travel, which is a partner of TUI. She stated that they foresee an increase for the year 2015. They will fly to Antalya Airport with 9 aircraft per week between the months of April and September.
“FIGURES HAVE DECREASED, THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS WILL INCREASE”
In our meeting with Exim Tur official Boğdan Cimpianu, he stated that sales are good and they do not expect sales to be below last year's levels. According to information received from Turkish Airlines (THY) official Yahya Ceyhan and Mr.Peter company Sales Manager Neriman Mologean, THY has once again made the charter agreement with Mr.Peter Travel this year. Between the months of May and October, three aircraft with a capacity of 189 seats will fly directly from Bucharest to Antalya. According to information received from officials of Christian Tour, Cocktail Holidays, Paralela Tour, Pasa International, Fibula Travel, and Aero Travel, there is an impression that there will be an increase this year due to the decrease in prices. Currently, a total of 19 flights per week have been planned from Romania between the months of May and October.
“THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SECTION THAT PREFERS THE HIGHWAY”
Additionally, there is a significant segment that makes hotel reservations through agencies and prefers traveling by road. It would be incorrect to obtain data based solely on the number of flights. In this sense, due to its close proximity, Kuşadası has become a highly preferred region, and I can say it ranks first in Romania. In the Antalya region, a significant portion of sales has been concentrated in the Side, Kemer, and Belek regions until today. Generally, 5-star and resort hotels have been preferred, and this trend is still continuing. Alanya is not at the forefront like the other regions. Those who know Alanya also prefer regions closer to the airport due to the distance between Antalya and Alanya. The fact that Alanya's regional hoteliers do not show much interest in the Romanian market has also supported this negative situation. Due to the situation in the Russian market, it appears that the Antalya-Alanya distance, which seems far in this newly noticed market, will become closer this year due to falling prices and the prepared affordable packages. Although great efforts were made to be able to fly to Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport this year, unfortunately, no results were achieved. Work for next year has already begun. I hope a positive result can be obtained.
“AUTHORITIES SHOULD PROVIDE EASE OF ENTRY TO TURKEY”
Romania's population is around approximately 20 million. After joining the European Union, there has been a decrease in population. There are those whose economic situation is very good, and those whose situation is very bad. In our terms, there is no middle class. As a country, Greece and other European countries are the preferred choices. The most important reason for this is that they can vacation without the need for a visa and passport. This is also the most frequently asked question regarding travel to Turkey. Romania is also a member of the European Union. The procedure applied to European Union member citizens from Germany and the Netherlands, who can enter our country with an ID, should also be applied to Romanians who are European Union citizens. Authorities must take decisive steps on this matter. I believe that if the passport and visa problem is resolved, there will be a significant increase in the number of people coming to the country.
“PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES CONTINUE THROUGH THE USE OF MEDIA”
We gave an interview to Kanal D, Romania's third largest TV channel. We also gave a comprehensive interview about Alanya in a tourism program prepared by the Romanian State Radio. We participated as the Alanya region from Turkey in the fair program prepared by The Channel television. Next week, we will take part in another tourism program where information about Alanya's annual activities will be provided and a promotional video will be broadcast. I provided information about Alanya to Teodor Stefan, the Chairman of the Board of the websites www.euronews.ro, which has 1,500 daily visitors, and www.iconicstays.com, which has 5,000 daily visitors. We will be featured on these pages, which include airline and tourism news, with the images from the Alanya promotional CD. As ALTAV, we have had a very productive fair period. On this occasion, I wish you a prosperous and highly profitable season.