Representing Alanya at the fair, Alanya Mayor and President of the Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALTAV) Adem Murat Yücel, Vice President Mehmet Dahaoğlu, and Board Member Gürol Birgen attended. Alanya promotion is being carried out within the specially designed ALTAV stand and the Turkey stand at the fair. The interest of Turkish tourism professionals in the fair, aiming to offset the tourism loss caused by the quota Russia has placed on Turkey through the Ukrainian market, was also higher than in previous years. Agencies such as Coral, Anex, TUI, and Natalia are conducting promotions at large stands at the fair.
MINISTER ÜNAL WAS THERE
The intensity experienced on the first day of the fair pleased tourism professionals. At the fair, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mahir Ünal did not leave the tourism professionals alone. Providing information regarding the Ukrainian market during the opening speech of the fair, Minister Ünal stated that 1 million tourists are expected from the country this year, whereas 700 thousand passengers arrived in 2015, representing a 7.5 percent increase compared to the previous year. Ünal also announced that Ukraine would participate in the flower and child-themed Expo 2016 to be held in Antalya. The Minister of Tourism expressed that a 7th flight point has also been opened from this country to Türkiye. Minister Ünal continued his words by saying, “Our love, our heart, our sincerity, our optimism, and our courage are with the people of Ukraine.” At the fair, Minister of Tourism Mahir Ünal determined the winners who ranked in the top 3 among the smiling photos taken by Ukrainian tourists. A holiday in Türkiye was gifted to 3 people.
“ALANYA IS POPULAR IN UKRAINE”
ALTAV Vice President Mehmet Dahaoğlu, in his statement regarding the first day of the fair, said that ALTAV President Adem Murat Yücel, Board Member Gürol Birgen, and tourism professionals Levent Benal and Alpaslan Ünsal jointly welcomed visitors during the promotion held at a special stand within the Ministry in Alanya. Dahaoğlu stated that a warm and sincere atmosphere was created during the visit of Minister of Culture and Tourism Mahir Ünal to the Alanya stand. Dahaoğlu said the following: “Our Honorable Minister congratulated us on our efforts, noting that Alanya is particularly popular in Ukraine. He expressed his desire to visit Alanya as soon as possible to hold a meeting with tourism professionals. THY made its first flight to Ukraine's 7th region yesterday, and this positive development has pleased us. On the first day of the fair, we visited the Ukrainian Parliament as Alanya and Kemer delegations. During the visit, tourism policies in local governments were discussed between Ukraine and Türkiye. A mutual exchange of views took place during the meeting, which was attended by numerous members of parliament, mayors, and tourism directors. During the contacts, where video presentations of Alanya and Kemer were conducted, the emphasis of a safe city was made through live narration.”
“LET FUEL SUPPORT CONTINUE”
Reminding that during the contacts, the Ukrainian delegation expressed their desire to benefit from Turkey's tourism experiences, Dahaoğlu said, “We stated to the Ukrainian representatives, who wish to take Alanya's successes in this field as an example, that we are open to cooperation. During our contacts, we held a moment of silence for the patriots who lost their lives in 2013.” In his statement, Dahaoğlu reported that in 2015, approximately 350 thousand out of the 700 thousand passengers arriving from Ukraine chose Antalya by purchasing packages along with hotels. The ALTAV Vice President stated that if conditions continue normally, a total of 450 thousand passengers are targeted, including 200 thousand from Anex Tur, 150 thousand from Joinup, and together with Odeon, Tui, Pegas, Teztour, and Natalia Tur. At the fair, tour operators also conveyed the request to Minister Mahir Ünal for the 6 thousand dollar fuel support to be maintained throughout the year.