The 21st Eastern Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Fair (EMITT), organized under the corporate sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and Turkish Airlines (THY), with the support of KOSGEB, in partnership with the Turkish Hotel Association (TÜROFED) and the Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TYD), continues at the TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center. While Alanya is being promoted with a large 63-square-meter stand established by the Alanya Tourism Operators Association (ALTİD), Alanya-based agencies are simultaneously continuing their meetings with tour operators.
“THERE IS DEMAND FOR VISA-FREE COUNTRIES”
Stating that Turkish vacationers have shown high demand particularly for countries that do not require visas in recent years, Alanya-based Pasotatil General Manager Engin Misket said, “We receive requests for periods between 3 to 15 days for countries we have included in Balkan tours, such as Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Serbia. Geographies where Turkish ancestors once appeared are attracting the interest of our domestic vacationers. The fact that these countries are economical, the affordability of transportation costs, and the lack of visa requirements stand out as other reasons for the high demand. Balkan tours are increasingly increasing their popularity.”
“THEY ARE COMING FOR CULTURE TOURS”
İbrahim Yüksel, General Manager of another Alanya-based company, Tourmania, who stated that they had the opportunity to meet with representatives of alternative tourism markets at EMITT, which is shown as the world's 5th most comprehensive tourism fair, said: “We have made agreements with tour operators here. Our country needs alternative tourism markets besides Russia and European countries. In this direction, we had useful meetings with representatives from India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan among the fair participants. They want to operate in Türkiye. The majority of holidaymakers coming from these countries are not interested in the sea, sand, and sun trilogy. Their interests include cultural tours and historical sites. Since they prefer to be in our country during the spring months instead of the high season, they stand out as a guest potential that will contribute to the season lasting longer.”