Alanya was promoted at Tourest 2016, Estonia's largest travel fair. Şükrü Cimrin, a Member of the Board of the Alanya Promotion Foundation (ALTAV), represented Alanya. ALTAV participated in the fair within its allocated area inside the Ministry of Culture and Tourism stand. Kemer Municipality and Konyaaltı Municipality also took part as regions within the Turkey stand. Turkish Airlines (THY) and hotels also conducted promotions at the stand. Many hotels from the Antalya Region also promoted their facilities at stands allocated to them by tour operators.
“ALANYA PROMOTIONS RECEIVED GREAT INTEREST”
Sharing his impressions regarding the fair, Cimrin stated that promotions such as an Estonian-language Alanya city guide, a newly printed nature sports map and guide, an Alanya bag, and an Alanya bracelet received great interest from visitors during the fair. Cimrin noted the following:
“AMBASSADOR KUMAŞÇIOĞLU HOSTED A RECEPTION”
Our Ambassador to Tallinn, Ms. Hayriye Kumaşçıoğlu, visited the Turkish stands at the fair and hosted all Turkish participants at her residence on the evening of the first day of the fair. During this reception, which we attended as ALTAV, we presented our gifts brought from Alanya to the Honorable Ambassador.
“SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE FROM AUTHORITIES”
Ms. Arzu Emel Yıldız, our Helsinki Tourism and Culture Promotion Attaché who is also responsible for the Baltic countries, Ms. Çiğdem Tenker Köksal, our First Counselor at the Embassy in Tallinn, and Mr. Muhammet Karakaya, our Commercial Counselor at our Embassy in Vilnius, provided excellent hospitality by not leaving the Turkey stand throughout the fair, which should serve as an example to all other fairs.
“THE PRESS HAS BEEN INVITED”
During the meeting we held with Estonian journalists during the fair, we agreed on them conducting a press trip to Alanya. The trip in question will take place in March or April 2016.
“COOPERATIONS DISCUSSED”
In our meetings with officials from tour operators Teztour, Novatours, and Goadenture, who bring tourists to Türkiye, we received information regarding the latest status of the market and exchanged views on potential collaborations we can undertake concerning Alanya. We held a meeting with the Helsinki Cultural and Tourism Promotion Attaché, Ms. Arzu Emel Yıldız, and discussed joint promotion projects.
“MEETING HELD WITH THY”
In the meeting we held with Turkish Airlines Tallinn General Manager Mr. Erkan İnce, we received information regarding THY flights and Alanya-Gazipaşa Airport promotions, and we reached a consensus on conducting certain collaborations together.
“THEY PREFER ALANYA, KEMER, AND BELEK”
Estonia has a population of 1.3 million, and 28 percent of its population is of Russian origin. Estonians generally travel abroad at the beginning and end of the season; thus, they are significant despite their small population size because they support the low season in this manner. In Estonia, which has the strongest economy among the Baltic countries, overseas holiday rates are not as high as in the Scandinavian countries, but they are following an increasing trend. In Turkey, Alanya, Kemer, and Belek are at the forefront as the most preferred regions.
“63 THOUSAND PEOPLE CAME TO TURKEY”
In 2015, 63,363 people came to Türkiye, achieving a 14 percent increase compared to 2014. According to the results obtained from our meetings with officials from Teztour, Novatours, and Goadventure, the three major operators in the market, tour operators will attempt to maintain the figure achieved with the increase in 2015 during the 2016 season.
“LAST-MINUTE SALES ARE EXPECTED”
Another impression we have gained is the existence of a certain segment expecting prices to fall, and based on this, that last-minute sales will be experienced intensely. As ALTAV, our studies directed towards the Estonian market will be taken even further thanks to the contacts we established at the fair and will continue throughout the year.