Deniz Baykal, former Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Antalya Member of Parliament, and his entourage, met with regional tourism professionals at the Alanya Tourism Association (ALTİD). A file containing the headings ‘Issues that must be resolved very urgently’, ‘Issues that must be resolved in the short term’, ‘Issues that must be resolved in the medium term’, and ‘Demands to be fulfilled in the long term’ was presented to Baykal by the tourism professionals.
“ALANYA, THE FIRST TOURISM CENTER”
Speaking during the visit, Baykal stated that Alanya is where tourism first began and possesses very important knowledge and experience, noting that the files and information provided by regional tourism professionals are very valuable. Emphasizing that the Iranian, Israeli, Chinese, and Indian markets must be revitalized in the medium term, Baykal said, “Tourism carries great importance for the national economy. It must be handled with seriousness. If tourism catches a cold, the national economy develops pneumonia.”
“TOURISM COVERS 20 PERCENT OF THE CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT”
Emphasizing that Alanya, which entered tourism through home pensions, hosts 30 percent of the tourists coming to Antalya and 10 percent of the tourists coming to Türkiye in recent years, ALTİD President and Türkiye Hotel Association (TÜROFED) Board Member Burhan Sili stated that local export is being carried out with an investment volume of 80 billion dollars and expressed that Alanya is one of the important pillars in this sector. Sili said, “The tourism sector covers 20 percent of the country's current account deficit. Tourism should be made a state policy, and a decision-making mechanism in which the sector is also included should be established.”
“DIRECT FLIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT”
Emphasizing that the number of overnight stays per tourist has decreased and costs have increased by 14 percent, President Sili stated that the supply of beds along the coastline must be brought under control and that incentives should be provided through planning regarding which region and which type of tourism. On the other hand, Sili also provided information regarding charter flights. Stating that a significant percentage of tourists arriving in Antalya come via package tours and citing Spain as an example, Sili noted that approximately 65 percent of the passenger potential in Spanish tourism enters the country via scheduled flights rather than using charters. Sili said, “Direct and scheduled flights to Antalya from abroad are important.”
“INDIA MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY”
TÜROFED Board Member Gülçin Güner, explaining that forest lands must absolutely not be opened to investment, also emphasized the necessity of enacting a professional law, stating, “There is a need for an investment policy aimed at holistic planning.” Güner, saying that she had recently conducted contacts in India, expressed that this high-population market must be taken seriously.