At a meeting held at the Konaklı Tourist Operators Association (KONTİD) and attended by hoteliers from the Konaklı region, the course of tourism and the measures that could be taken were discussed. In the meeting, which was also attended by Alanya Tourist Operators Association (ALTİD) President and Turkish Hotel Association (TÜROFED) Board Member Burhan Sili, KONTİD President Ali Orkan, who delivered the opening speech, said, “In previous years, we used to hold ‘Hello to the Season’ cocktails, but this year we had to take a break due to the current situation. We have come together to consult on the current state of tourism.”
“STRETCH YOUR FEET ACCORDING TO YOUR QUILT”
Then, taking the floor, President Sili stated that everyone in Alanya earns their living directly from tourism or indirectly from this sector, saying, “Occupancy rates and prices are trending low. Unless the global economic situation, the perception of terrorism, and the Middle East return to normal, a rapid recovery in tourism will not be possible. We must make new plans, and everyone must live within their means.”
“TOURISM SHOULD BE A STATE POLICY”
Stating that news reports regarding Türkiye in the foreign press put the country's image at risk, Sili said, “What they can do to the perception of the country is limited for us tourism professionals. As we have always expressed, tourism must be a state policy, and we must act quickly and effectively on this matter.”
“LET US NOT COMPROMISE ON SERVICE QUALITY”
Emphasizing that even if there is an expectation of last-minute sales, regions with better physical conditions and those that stand out in terms of service will provide advantages with affordable prices, and that service quality should not be compromised in order to enter price competition in this regard, Sili stated, “With the moves made to take economic measures, we must not let the tourist say, ‘I will never go to Türkiye again.’”
“DOMESTIC MARKET WILL SUPPORT”
Emphasizing that expectations in the tourism sector are shifting toward the domestic market, Sili stated that European tourists show an average of 7-8 overnight stays, while underlining that this figure drops to 3-4 overnight stays for Turkish vacationers. President Sili warned industry representatives, saying, “Despite the existence of tourist facilities that remain unopened, occupancy rates are trending low. The domestic market will provide support, but there will also be a loss in terms of revenue.”
“9-MONTH PREREQUISITE SHOULD BE REDUCED TO 6 MONTHS”
Stating that the issue of encouraging civil servants to go on vacation to provide state support to tourism has been occupying the agenda recently, and that the steps to be taken in this regard would satisfy the sector, Sili said, “Another one of our expectations is for the Social Security Institution (SGK) support provided for personnel who have worked for 9 months, as included in the Tourism Incentive Package, to be reduced to a 6-month prerequisite level. Because tourism conducted in the Mediterranean basin, including the Alanya region, is primarily completed within a 6-month period.”
IDENTITY NOTIFICATIONS FOR TENANTS ARE NOT BEING MADE
At the meeting, the issue of security problems and unfair competition arising from the daily or longer-term rental of second homes was also discussed. As is known, in Alanya, where more than 35 thousand title deeds are held by foreigners, the identity information of those staying in rented apartments is largely not reported to security units. The fact that the identity reporting practice implemented in touristic accommodation facilities cannot be applied to those renting apartments creates a security vulnerability. Furthermore, since no declarations are submitted to tax offices for these apartments rented on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, an environment of unfair competition and tax loss is also created.