Alanya tourism operators gathered at the “Cluster Analysis” meeting to increase the competitiveness of the sector. The “Alanya Tourism Sector Clustering Strategy Development Project,” which is being carried out under the ownership of the Alanya Tourism Operators Association (ALTİD) in partnership with Alanya Hamdullah Emin Paşa (HEP) University and financed by the Western Mediterranean Development Agency (BAKA), is also receiving contributions from the Alanya District Governorate, Alanya Municipality, Süleyman Demirel University, and the Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ALTSO) as participants.
The meeting was attended by Alanya District Governor Erhan Özdemir, Alanya HEP University Rector Prof. Dr. Erol Sayın, Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Murat Ali Dulupçu, Akdeniz University (AÜ) Alanya Faculty of Business Administration Dean Prof. Dr. İbrahim Güngör, Türkiye Otelciler Federasyonu (TÜROFED) Board Member and Alanya Turistik İşletmeciler Derneği (ALTİD) President Burhan Sili, Türkiye Seyahat Acentaları Birliği (TÜRSAB) Alanya Regional Executive Board (BYK) President Suat Çavuşoğlu, Skal Alanya President Mehmet Nedanlı, Alanya Municipality Foreign Relations Unit Responsible and Honorary Consul of Latvia Nurkan Şaşmaz, lecturers, and tourism professionals.
“A STUDY REQUIRING ACTIVE PARTICIPATION”
Making the opening speech of the meeting, Rector Sayın stated that they aimed to seek medium- and long-term solutions in Alanya, rather than short-term ones, through the study to be conducted. Sayın said, "This is a technical and scientific study, but it is also a study that requires the active participation of the actors within the tourism sector of the real sector. Therefore, a classic ivory tower study is not intended. For this reason, we have inconvenienced you by bringing you all the way here, and I thank you for your contributions."
“GOOD RESULTS WILL EMERGE”
Then, ALTİD President Sili took the floor and stated, "In addition to determining the current state of Alanya tourism, through this project, we are brainstorming on issues such as what should exist in the future and what should be done. A working group is being formed that includes representatives from every non-governmental organization related to tourism. In this sense, let us come together and produce a report. Alanya HEP University is approaching the subject with an academic perspective. Süleyman Demirel University is one of the participants in the subject. In this regard, I believe that good results will emerge."
“THERE ARE VARIOUS FLUCTUATIONS”
District Governor Özdemir also stated, "I believe the academic contribution being attempted will give a different direction to the sector. If we can take an X-ray of the sector with as objective and clear data as possible, and reveal its profile step by step from the past to the present over the last 50 years, the subsequent part will reveal itself more clearly. The sector is not a sector that is subject to much intervention. It is already a sector that finds its own way within its own dynamics and progresses on this path. On the other hand, there is fierce global competition. Within global competition, there are various fluctuations. It is our region's most important sector, characterized by moments that discourage us all and moments that overwhelm us with hope. I believe it is very important that the study is being conducted at least by our own university and that BAKA is providing heartfelt and financial support to this project."
'THE DARLING OF ALANYA TOURISM'
Prof. Dr. Dulupçu also stated, "Just as Antalya is the jewel of Turkey in tourism, Alanya is the jewel of Antalya. There is a very great difficulty when working in tourism. Regardless of what the product is, in tourism, the product is related to the location. We do not say, 'The Audi of Northern Germany is better and the Audi of Southern Germany is worse.' When we say 'tourism product,' no matter which hotel, accommodation, or restaurant we refer to here, it is not possible to think of them independently of Alanya. If the awareness and recognition of Alanya increase, all businesses here will also benefit from this."
5-YEAR STRATEGIC ROADMAP TO BE DETERMINED
The objective of the “Alanya Tourism Sector Clustering Strategy Development Project” has been determined as examining the current state of the Alanya tourism sector, particularly in the accommodation field, by following a clustering approach, evaluating its future development potential, and preparing a “Clustering Strategic Roadmap” for the formation of a cluster with enhanced competitiveness and ensured sustainability, as well as designing the necessary organizations to ensure its implementation. Within this framework, it is planned to design a “Strategic Roadmap” for a five-year period, with the first year being detailed, based on findings reached through a series of interviews and various meetings organized primarily with representatives of the sector's businesses operating in the accommodation field and all institutions and organizations that contribute to them by providing goods, services, information, or documents. In order to achieve effective results regarding the project, the “Alanya Tourism Sector Clustering Strategy Development Project” is envisioned to be carried out in a participatory and collaborative process with the businesses operating in the tourism accommodation field and their relevant stakeholders.