Alanya was promoted at the tourism fair held in Riga, the capital of Latvia. Alanya was represented by Elvan Güneş, a Member of the Board of the Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALTAV) and the Secretary General of the Alanya Tourist Operators Association (ALTİD). During the fair, which included 41 countries and 470 participants, Güneş, who engaged in various contacts, stated the following:
“26 THOUSAND VISITORS PER YEAR”
We participated in the 24th Balttour Tourism Fair held in the city of Riga, Latvia, in a 45-square-meter area together with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. In addition to Alanya, Kemer also took part in the fair as a region. Two hotels from the Kemer region and one agency also carried out their promotional activities under the umbrella of the Ministry. Last year, approximately 26 thousand people visited the fair area. There was also heavy participation this year.
“A DECLINE FROM 60 THOUSAND PEOPLE TO 35 THOUSAND PEOPLE OCCURRED”
We had a very productive fair process with our Helsinki Tourism Promotion Counselor Ms. Arzu Emel Yıldız. As a result of our meeting with Novaturas Product Manager Audrone Keinyte, we saw that they are very hopeful this year. While the number of visitors from Latvia was 60 thousand in 2015, this number declined to 35 thousand in 2016. She stated that they particularly value flight support and that it made a significant contribution to the 2016 operations. She noted that they aim to reach the 2015 figures this year as well, due to the decision to continue the support and the improvement in relations with Russia.
“PLANES WILL LAND AT GAZİPAŞA-ALANYA AIRPORT”
They have made planning for 55 thousand people for the Baltic market. 10 thousand of this number will enter directly through Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport. Flights will start in April and continue until October. They stated that they could add additional aircraft if the environment of security continues.
“EVEN 1 TOURIST IS VALUABLE”
Current early sales are progressing 12 percent ahead of 2016 sales. On-site sales are being conducted at the fair, and in the ranking of requested countries, Turkey is first, Greece is second, and Spain is third. We were very happy to see the encouraging developments we have been longing for in this market. Although it is a small country with a population of 1 million 957 thousand, every tourist we bring to our country is very valuable to us. Our goal is to ensure that even a single person spends their holiday in our country and in Alanya.
“100 AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES WILL ARRIVE”
An advertising agreement was made between a Novaturas official and our Counselor Ms. Arzu. According to this agreement, 50 percent of advertising activities involving newspapers, TV, magazines, and billboards will be covered by the Ministry. They will carry out the same work with Tez Tour as well. A preliminary meeting regarding this matter was held with Sergejs Maliskins. Novaturas has planned a 100-person famtrip for April with the best-selling agency officials for the Antalya Region. In order for Alanya to be included, we had meetings with both Novaturas Product Manager Audrone Keinyte and Alanya Region Contract Manager Ufuktan Gürbüz. Alanya will definitely be included in this program.
“ALL-INCLUSIVE IS BEST APPLIED IN TURKEY”
Following the meeting we held with Tez Tour Operations Manager Julijs Batkilins, he stated that, in parallel with Novaturas, there has been a 13 percent increase in reservations and that they do not expect any negative news. He expressed that if sales continue at this rapid pace, exceeding previously reached figures will not be a dream. He said that the segment that preferred other countries last year would return to Türkiye, that our hotels are very beautiful, and that we are the country that implements the ‘All Inclusive’ system best.
“ALANYA TOURISM PROFESSIONALS ARE INVITED”
When I asked for their thoughts regarding Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport, they stated, “We have concerns regarding its capacity. Flights from Russia will also begin. We do not think it will be sufficient in terms of infrastructure. We want to wait and see, especially this year.” I conveyed that the number of aprons has been increased to 6 and the terminal capacity has expanded. They said they plan to come to Alanya for meetings in April and will definitely get in touch with us. They have planned 5 aircraft per week to Antalya between the months of April and October. They will land, especially with two new aircraft, on April 28 with an opening ceremony. They noted that they would also like to see Alanya tourism professionals there for the opening.
“LATVIANS DID NOT ASK ABOUT TERRORISM”
The most important major tour operators of the Latvian market are Novaturas and Tez Tour. Both operators conducted on-site sales during the fair, and we received information that there was a significant increase particularly in reservations made on Saturday. We hope sales continue with this excitement. The other pleasing situation is that we did not receive even a single question from the Latvians visiting our stand regarding security and terrorism incidents.
“MEMBERS OF THE PRESS WILL BE IN ALANYA”
I met with Liga Ruseniece, the Editor of Entertainment and Tourism Division at Neatkariga, Latvia's second largest newspaper and internet news page. I invited her to Alanya. We will host her along with her cameraman in Alanya during the months of April and May. Through our Counselor Ms. Emel, the Ministry will cover the transportation expenses. As always, we have once again received the important support of our Helsinki Consulate. We sincerely thank her on behalf of Alanya.
“MAY IT BE THE SAME FOR OTHER MARKETS”
Across the Baltic countries, 235 thousand passengers preferred our country in 2015, and 180 thousand in 2016. The Russian population is very high, especially in Latvia and Estonia, and I have learned that the decline experienced in 2016 resulted from the aircraft crisis between us and Russia. Due to the improvement in relations with Russia, I believe we will reach the 2015 figures in these markets. We experienced a very happy and intense process during the fair due to the positive atmosphere. I hope this atmosphere prevails in other markets as well.
“THY OFFICIALS ARE EXPERIENCING A LACK OF REASON”
Turkish Airlines (THY) participated with a separate stand. In the promotional visuals, they invited Latvians to explore the Indian Ocean. Neither a Turkish Flag nor any visual of our destinations was used. On the final day of the fair, during a stand visit, I conveyed our justified protest to our Ambassador, Mr. Hayri Hayret Yalav. He stated that he also found this matter strange and would notify Ankara in writing. Additionally, I had a meeting regarding the issue with the THY Latvia Manager. He stated that it was a decision of the General Headquarters and that he was obliged to implement it. THY officials must be experiencing a lapse in judgment, as they are inviting people to explore the Indian Ocean at a tourism fair in which they participate using my country's money, during a period when we need support the most. We tried to do our very best. I wish for beautiful days where peace and security prevail.