The regional consultation meetings conducted by the Board of Directors of the Alanya Tourist Operators Association (ALTİD) with Alanya hoteliers continue. ALTİD executives met with Keykubat hotel operators. During the meeting, the joint capacity for action of tourism professionals, the effectiveness of accommodation sector representatives in decisions taken and to be taken in the city, unregistered accommodation, whether the institutions shaping Alanya can act together and the consequences of this for tourism, the shortage of qualified personnel, and environmental issues were discussed.
“A SENSE OF UNITY IS ESSENTIAL”
Speaking at the meeting, ALTİD President and Turkish Hotel Association (TÜROFED) Board Member Burhan Sili emphasized that the primary objective of the regional meetings held with tourism professionals is to spread awareness among members that broad-based unity is essential to have a say in decisions to be taken regarding tourism throughout the country and in the Alanya region.
“BED CAPACITY SHOULD BE LIMITED”
Stating that it does not appear possible for the crisis experienced in the tourism sector to be overcome in a short period, Sili said that it is important to limit the supply of beds until the supply-demand balance recovers on the issue they conveyed to the relevant parties. Sili expressed that the study regarding this issue, which the entire sector has voiced, must be initiated as soon as possible.
“WE CANNOT MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD A SOLUTION”
President Sili, stating that inter-institutional coordination must be carried out in harmony in Alanya, said, “If unity cannot be ensured among the municipalities, state institutions, and non-governmental organizations that govern the region, we cannot make progress in terms of solving the city's problems.”
“EDUCATION IS A MUST”
Gülçin Güner, a member of the TÜROFED Board of Directors and former president of ALTİD, also stated that accommodation sector representatives hold the status of exporters, saying, “We tourism professionals constitute a large slice of the added value cake contributed to the national economy. Everyone should take ownership of the region they live in and the sector from which they generate earnings.” Emphasizing that the education standards of personnel working in hotels must be raised, Güner noted that facilities with particularly high bed capacities should establish workshops and training areas within their structures, stating that qualified personnel contribute directly to tourist satisfaction rates. Güner also mentioned that by standing behind ALTİD with a strong will, regional tourism professionals could have a greater say in the pursuit of their rights.
“CANDIDATE MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT SHOULD BE INTRODUCED”
Tourism professional Hüseyin Hacıkadiroğlu also stated that with the amendment to be made to the ALTİD charter, accommodation facilities licensed by the Municipality applying for membership to ALTİD should first be granted "Candidate member" status, and that touristic facilities that meet or reach the standards of Ministry-licensed facilities should be removed from "Candidate member" status and admitted as members to ALTİD. Hacıkadiroğlu expressed that this would thereby raise the quality standard of Municipality-licensed touristic facilities.
“THERE IS A SECURITY WEAKNESS”
Pointing out that unregistered accommodations are increasing every year, Hacıkadiroğlu noted that security issues arise in residences and houses that create an informal economy through rental methods, as the individuals staying in them cannot be reported to law enforcement forces as is done in touristic facilities.
“WE MUST FORM A COALITION”
Finally, Alanya Municipal Council Member and tourism professional Mehmet Kural, who also took the floor, stated, “The country's tourism and the city of Alanya need ALTİD, which stands strong with the power and support of its own members,” and added, “If we want to have a say both at the Ministry level and on the Alanya scale, we must create a unity of strength under the umbrella of ALTİD instead of acting individually.”