The breakfast meeting organized by the President of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) Alanya Regional Executive Board (BYK), Suat Çavuşoğlu, was attended by Alanya Mayor Adem Murat Yücel, President of the Alanya Tourist Operators Association (ALTİD) Burhan Sili, President of the Cycling Federation Emin Müftüoğlu, representatives of the Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALAV), travel agency officials, honorary consuls, non-governmental organizations related to tourism, and media representatives. At the meeting, negative news appearing in the foreign press and the necessary actions to be taken were evaluated.
In the meeting, which began with an opening speech by TÜRSAB President Suat Çavuşoğlu, it was noted that exaggerated reports regarding Alanya's image have been published abroad in recent days, and that this situation is damaging Alanya's image.
“I DO NOT APPROVE OF THE EVENTS TAKING PLACE”
Speaking at the meeting, Alanya Mayor Adem Murat Yücel said, “Those who think like me and I do not approve of the events that have occurred in Alanya and our country in recent days.” Yücel stated, “The people living here also never approve of terrorism. The aim of terrorism is not with whom it carries out an action, but what it leaves behind after doing so. We must not give opportunities to these [groups].”
“WE ARE FEEDING SOCIAL MEDIA”
Following the speech by Mayor Yücel, Burhan Sili, President of the Alanya Tourist Operators Association (ALTİD) and Board Member of the Turkish Hotel Association (TÜROFED), who emphasized that Alanya is a safe city, stated that they continuously feed social media with visuals such as photos and videos to show that everything in Alanya is proceeding at a normal level.
“INTERVIEWS ARE BEING CONDUCTED WITH TOURISTS”
Stating that a great deal of work also falls to the members of the press located in Alanya, Sili expressed that in interviews conducted with tourists in the region, it is highlighted that Alanya has no security problems.
“THE ATTITUDE OF THE FOREIGN PRESS IS BEING QUESTIONED”
Sili stated that news reports using photos of tourists with split heads were being published in the Danish press to smear Alanya, and noted that despite all searches conducted, this tourist could not be found in Alanya, and the accuracy of the news appearing in the foreign press has begun to be questioned.
“WE USE EVERY PLATFORM”
Stating that members of the press from Poland, Finland, and Norway will be in Alanya in the coming days, Sili said, “We are using every platform in order to be able to express ourselves.” Sili stated that consulates and press attachés are also providing significant contributions by accelerating their image-building efforts.