Alanya was promoted at the 39th International Belgrade Tourism Fair, held in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, between February 23-26, 2017. Elvan Güneş, a Member of the Board of Directors of the Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALTAV), represented Alanya at the fair. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism conducted promotional activities in a 305-square-meter area that included the Alanya stand. Monitoring the pulse of the fair, Güneş stated the following:
“THERE WAS A 38 PERCENT DECLINE LAST YEAR”
Serbia's population is 7 million 300 thousand. In the capital, Belgrade, the population is more than 2 million. The minimum wage is 400 euros, while the pension is around 200 euros. According to information obtained from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, while 178,097 people entered Turkey from Serbia in 2015, this figure remained at 110,594 in 2016. In other words, there was a 38 percent decline in this market last year.
“FAIR ORGANIZATION IS DISADVANTAGEOUS”
There were a total of 1,200 participants from 25 countries at the fair. The fact that the agencies and the country stands were located in very separate halls created a disadvantage. At the same time, since this was a consumer fair, the section where tour operator and agency representatives were located was very intense and crowded.
“THE MINISTRY'S AIRCRAFT SUPPORT IS VERY IMPORTANT”
In a meeting held with Enver Babat, a Board Member of Big Blue, which serves as the region's locomotive with a 70 percent share, he stated that they sent 27 thousand people to Turkey for vacation purposes in 2015, whereas they barely reached the figure of 3 thousand 800 in 2016; he noted that the flight support provided by the Ministry is particularly important and that they are targeting the figure of 12 thousand in 2017, taking the existing conditions into account. They have four flights planned per week. They are keeping two of the aircraft on standby as options. Provided that no negativity occurs in Turkey, they will activate these two aircraft as well through last-minute sales. The aircraft will fly to Antalya Airport between 27.05.2017 and 18.10.2017.
“THE PRICE-QUALITY BALANCE MAY BE DISRUPTED”
While Kemer accounted for 44 percent, Alanya for 32 percent, and Side for 8 percent of the reservations made so far, the remaining portion is distributed among the other regions of Antalya. I have received information that a significant part of the reservations are for 5-star and concept hotels, but the fact that prices are trending low raises concerns about compromising on quality.
“ANTALYA WILL BE PROMOTED FOR 3 MONTHS IN A NEWSPAPER WITH A CIRCULATION OF 1 MILLION”
Big Blue, which operated with THY in 2015, organized flights with Air Serbia in 2016 due to aircraft costs, and will conduct its 2017 operations again with Air Serbia. It was stated that Greece, which has held the first place in general country sales so far, is preferred due to its proximity to Serbia, while Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Spain also follow this country in sales. Enver Babat said that they will be part of a promotion offensive for Antalya, and that Antalya advertisements will appear as two full pages for three months in Serbia's largest newspaper, which has a circulation of one million. Additionally, with the contributions of ALTAV, we will host a team consisting of important social media and tourism writers in Alanya.
“FIVE-STAR HOTELS ARE RECEIVING THE MOST INTEREST”
In our meeting with Mehmet Gündüz, the Manager of another regional agency, 1A Travel, he stated that last year was a very dire year, during which they experienced an 85 percent loss, and that they are exerting significant effort for sales to recover again this year, hoping that the current calm situation continues. They have two flights per week planned to Antalya Airport between May 21 and October 15. He said that the reservations made so far are due to prices being very attractive, and that five-star hotels are receiving the most interest. Five-star facilities, which account for 60 percent of reservation numbers, are followed by 3-4 star hotels and club hotels at 40 percent. On a country basis, Greece is once again in first place.
“REACHING 2015 FIGURES IS DIFFICULT”
According to information I received from Oktay Bulut, the Antalya General Manager of Peninsula Tour, which has partners Odeon World, Euro Jet, Ponte Travel, Flip Travel, and Oktopot Tour, he stated that reaching the 2015 figures appears difficult, but they continue to work without losing hope. Flight schedules extend from June 13 to September 26.
“SERBIAN PRESS TO BE HOSTED IN ALANYA”
We held a meeting regarding Alanya with the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Belgrade, Mr. Dr. Tanju Bilgiç. He stated that the fair is considered one of the largest fairs at the Balkans level and expressed that he is quite pleased that Alanya is present there for promotion. He mentioned that he visited Alanya many times during the period when our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, served as his advisor for a time, and that he has a special interest in Alanya. Together, we discussed the subject of hosting a group of Serbian press members in Alanya for promotional purposes. The Deputy General Director of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Cengiz Aydın, was also among the important figures we met with. We received a promise from him that he would provide transportation support regarding the hosting of social media influencers in Alanya, which we will organize in the coming days.
“PEOPLE OF THE WORLD LIVE THEIR BELIEFS AND CULTURES FREELY”
I gave interviews to press organizations broadcasting on a national scale. I emphasized that our region is safe, that approximately 28 thousand properties are held by foreigners in Alanya with their own title deeds, and that we live together in brotherhood with around 45 thousand residents of different nationalities from 90 countries. I stated that our guests coming from many countries are able to freely practice their beliefs and cultures in our city. Highlighting recent developments in the world, I explained that we look up at the same sky and believe in the same God, and that we are molded in brotherhood, love, and peace with all the citizens of the world in Alanya.
“ALANYA WAS ON SOCIAL MEDIA”
We gifted Alanya bracelets to those who shared the photo taken at the Alanya stand via social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This social media promotion work drew great interest, especially from Serbian youth.
“POP STAR ANA KOKİC CONDUCTED THE ALANYA VACATION RAFFLE”
In my opinion, the recovery of this market and surpassing the figures of 2015 is not a dream. For this reason, we utilized every possible opportunity during the fair to the best of our ability. We specifically developed projects with the support of the Ministry and THY in the coming days so that the Serbians, who have a special love for Turkey and Turks, can get to know our region. In this context, we reached an agreement regarding the filming of the highly anticipated music video of Serbia's pop star Ana Kokic in Alanya. Additionally, we ensured that an Alanya holiday raffle was held during the cocktail event organized at the Ministry stand. The raffle, held in front of Alanya visuals, was conducted by the famous pop star Ana Kokic.
“WE WILL REACH 2015 FIGURES IN 2019”
Selim Soylu, an experienced tourism professional from Alanya participating in the fair, stated: “It is a country under the influence of Russia in a cultural and historical sense. For this reason, as a result of the plane crisis experienced with Russia in 2016, our relations with Serbia also fell into the shadow. There is an increase visible in reservations this year, but it is very difficult to reach the 2015 figures. Unless no confusion or terror incidents occur in Turkey, we will only reach the 2015 reservation figures in 2019. The Turkish agencies existing in this country are a great advantage for us.”
“65 PERCENT GO ABROAD”
"Serbians are a nation fond of food and entertainment. In this sense, Alanya and Antalya are a region where they will feel comfortable. Every year, 65 percent of the country's population goes on holiday. If we calculate that even 50 percent of a country with a population of 7 million 300 thousand goes on holiday, 3 million 650 thousand people vacation in different countries every year. According to the statistics we have received, the average number of international departures per person is two," he said.
We have made the necessary efforts together for our country and our region. We believe that if the past negative experiences are not repeated, our country's natural and historical beauties can reach the position it deserves in world tourism with its high-quality service. I wish for seasons that are highly profitable and where efforts are rewarded.