At the meeting, European-Turkish Tourism Business Council President Hüseyin Baraner, Warner Scheller on behalf of Deutsche Post AG, and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Hesse on behalf of the Siegfried Vögele Institute also delivered speeches.
"THE TURKISH ECONOMY LOST 4 BILLION DOLLARS"
Speaking at the meeting, Türkiye Tourism Business Council President Hüseyin Baraner stated that Türkiye has lost at least 4 billion dollars because it has not given the necessary importance to tourists over the age of 50. Noting that tourists over the age of 50 are gaining increasing importance, especially in the European market, Baraner said:
''Türkiye has not been able to show as much interest as required regarding tourists over the age of 50. I even sent a letter to the Prime Minister regarding the losses in tourism during the winter months: I stated that we have lost 4 billion dollars due to the lack of studies regarding winter tourism and Best Agers. He also took interest in this warning of mine. But for some reason, Türkiye cannot make institutional progress regarding the Best Ager segment.
As Türkiye, we have a range of products that allow millions to dream. We have facilities, nature, and a young, educated population that will provide service in the best possible way. However, we must organize this better and present it in a better manner."
Pointing out that tourism is a sector that provides livelihoods for millions, Baraner claimed that despite this, governments always view tourism as a secondary sector and that the problems of tourism are often brushed aside. Stating that those who invest much less than tourism professionals are held in high regard as industrialists, Baraner said, "Someone goes and opens a small poultry farm in Bolu, and prime ministers and ministers go there to give speeches. These people are called industrialists. We invest billions here. But we do not receive the same interest. Our title becomes 'tourism professional friend.'
Let those who say 'we are industrialists' and those who call themselves 'the largest investors' come and see us. Let them come so we can compare the taxes we pay and the employment we provide, and see who is truly big. Today in Türkiye, there are facilities that cost 150 million Euros and employ between 500 and 1,500 people with social security. These are large investments. Tourism is currently a sector that provides direct employment to 3 million people and indirect employment to 5 million people under social security, but unfortunately, an industrialist who makes a 3-5 million dollar investment enjoys a more privileged perspective in the eyes of the government'' he said.
"IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE SENSE OF THE CRISIS; THE DOCTOR IS THE PATIENT, THE PATIENT IS ON THEIR FEET"
Mentioning the economic crisis as well, Baraner emphasized that there is great apprehension in the markets, that no one knows what will happen a week from now, and that this makes tourism professionals uneasy; he stated that whether there will be an increase in the number of tourists arriving next year will become clear after January with the release of new catalogs. Noting that it is not yet known whether there will be a decrease in the number of tourists, Baraner continued as follows:
"Türkiye has its advantages. This is such a crisis that those who are supposed to solve the crisis are sick; that is, the doctor is sick, but the patient is standing. Antalya and Türkiye tourism professionals have spent the last 20 years engaging in real tourism. We practiced real tourism. The service we provided was real, the prices were real. We did not exaggerate anything; now we will reap the fruits of this. If the people who come here on vacation continue to go on vacation in the coming years, Alanya, Antalya, and Türkiye will be the places these tourists return to.
In this sense, two new concepts are also emerging in tourism. In the past, we used to sell dreams. But now, we are selling trust. You can no longer sell dreams in tourism. You must now sell trust. Türkiye has done this very well, and this is seen as our greatest strength. For this reason, I believe that Türkiye will emerge from this crisis with minimal damage and may even turn this crisis into an opportunity."
Answering the questions of the İHA reporter after the meeting, Baraner stated that Türkiye possesses very significant tourism potential, noting that no government has invested in tourism at the expected rate, and that tourism professionals have made great sacrifices to bring the sector to this stage through their own means. Asserting that he wants the government to create tourism master plans in tourism regions and provide appropriate facilities accordingly, Baraner claimed that, unfortunately, these have not been done so far.
Stating that there are dozens of towns along the 20-kilometer coastline in tourism regions, Baraner said, "Many town municipalities do not have sufficient awareness regarding tourism. Especially in tourism regions, the number of municipalities needs to be reduced and planning needs to be carried out through a single hand. There is a municipality every 3 kilometers on the coasts. This situation causes great planning chaos and needs to be changed as soon as possible."
In response to the İHA reporter's question regarding how the opening of Gazipaşa Airport would contribute to the region, Baraner said, "This is one of the investments I am trying to convey and that the government must make. If you do not build an airport in a region where 1.5 to 2 million tourists arrive annually, problems will be experienced there. If an airport were built for Alanya and its surroundings, the region's annual tourism income would increase by at least 500 million euros.
This is a very important figure. Therefore, it is essential to build an airport in this region. This matter cannot be postponed with justifications such as 'there is a hill there' or 'there is something else here.' If there is a hill there, it can be built elsewhere. But it is not happening. Let me say it clearly. A massive destination like this, which attracts 2 million tourists, has been cheated regarding an Alanya airport."
"THERE ARE 29 MILLION PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 50 IN GERMANY"
Speaking on behalf of Deutsche Post AG at the meeting, Warner Scheller shared the results of a study conducted in Germany. Noting that people over the age of 55 are referred to as "best agers," Scheller emphasized that he himself is 65 and a good best ager, stating, ''I am a best ager; I am 65 years old and I feel like I am 49.''
Expressing that demographic changes in countries and in the world are an issue that must be taken as seriously as climate change, Scheller stated that while aging is bad, not aging is worse, and said that active aging should be supported. Explaining that aging people must be prevented from facing discrimination and being left to loneliness, Scheller pointed out that it must also be accepted that elderly people are not a homogeneous group.
Emphasizing that the income level of elderly people is higher and their goals are more about a beautiful, peaceful life, Scheller stated that Europe, and especially Germany, is increasingly aging and that this rate will increase further in the coming years, saying, ''29 million German citizens are over the age of 50. Their numbers will also increase rapidly in the coming years. In 2050, half of the people living in Germany will be over the age of 55.''
Stating that there are 15 million people between the ages of 50-60 in Germany and 14 million people over the age of 60, Scheller said that 64 percent of the German population is over the age of 18. Pointing out that tourism professionals should increase attractions for these individuals who go on holiday intensively, Scheller spoke, ''The number of older best agers with high purchasing power is increasing. The young segment with low purchasing power but high demands is gradually decreasing. This needs to be well known and utilized.''
"BEST AGERS ARE IMPORTANT POTENTIAL IN TOURISM"
At the meeting, Prof. Dr. Jürgen Hesse, speaking on behalf of the Siegfried Vögele Institute, announced the results of a study conducted on the holiday preferences and needs of best agers in Germany. Emphasizing that elderly tourists generally form groups containing different characteristics within themselves, Hesse said that their preferences are divided into categories such as cultural trips, health trips, walking, fresh air, enjoying nature, finding peace, and resting. Noting that the 50-59 age groups generally travel in May and September, and the 70-year-old target group mostly travels in the summer months, Hesse noted that this could be made even clearer.
Underlining that German best agers generally prefer nearby countries, Hesse stated that the 60-69 age group ranks 5th in destination preference, while in the 70 and over group, Turkey ranks 10th, saying, ''Turkey stands ahead of countries like Spain and Greece in this regard.''
Stating that besides those previously mentioned, food and beverages, local cuisine, getting to know places, listening to cultural presentations, participating in artistic events, and activities such as animations are among the travel reasons of best agers, Hesse said, "In the places where these individuals will vacation, elements such as pharmacies, health institutions, cafes, and restaurants must be offered to them. In and around hotels, there must be seating areas suitable for age groups and sections suitable for them within the building.''
Stating that one of the groups among best agers, perhaps the most important one, is the demanding expert groups, Hesse noted:
''There is a group of demanding experts between the ages of 50-59. This group consists of people who view the aging process as a better standard of living, define themselves as experts, and are very demanding. Their physical activities are also very good. They are sports lovers and enjoy good food; they drive good brand cars. They prefer being in classic hotels and quiet environments. They have a great interest in cultural and artistic events. They bring good money to the places they visit.''
Pointing out that there is also an introverted, home-loving group within best agers, Hesse stated that this group generally consists of people between the ages of 60-79, saying, ''The majority of them are women. They are less educated, have not worked, or if they have worked, they are retired. They are also a group that loves to go on holiday.''
Emphasizing that tourism professionals should renew themselves according to these studies and benefit more from best agers, who hold an important share in the market, Hesse said, ''Best agers are a very important potential. The expectations and needs of best agers, who are an important potential in tourism, should be determined, services should be provided accordingly, and promotion should be carried out accordingly.''