The 23rd Eastern Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Fair (EMITT), held this year at the İstanbul TÜYAP Congress and Fair Center, has concluded. Alanya was represented at the fair with a specially designed stand covering 64 square meters. A question-and-answer activity was held for visitors to the Alanya stand. Visitors drew Alanya question cards from a container and sought answers to questions about the region. During the event, where the use of the internet was permitted, visitors who answered the questions correctly received various gifts specific to Alanya. Objects made from Alanya banana plant fiber were of great interest to the people of Istanbul.
'Participants from 106 countries attended.'
ALTİD Chairman Burhan Sili, expressing his views on the fair, stated that Alanya represents the region at EMITT every year, just as it does annually. "This year, at the 23rd edition of the fair, we have taken our place, as we do every year. EMITT holds a very important position both within Turkey and globally. Our country acts as a unifying force, bringing together points from the east, west, north, and south, and this is also reflected in the fair. In this regard, it is very important for Alanya to participate in this fair, which hosts representatives from both domestic and international markets. Last year, the fair hosted over 1,000 participants from 106 countries and was visited by over 55,000 guests. This year, the target is 60,000 visitors, with over 1,000 corporate participants. Alanya is particularly important for the domestic market, and we are working to encourage citizens living within Turkey to visit our region."
'EVERYONE IN ALANYA IS BENEFITING FROM TOURISM.'
Alanya Mayor Adem Murat Yücel stated, "As you know, when we talk about fairs, the first name that comes to mind is EMITT. It is one of the top 4 tourism fairs in the world. We are aware of the significance of this fair for Alanya in terms of tourism, social, and cultural aspects, and we have been participating in this fair for 23 years. Because in Alanya, everyone earns a living directly or indirectly from tourism. Therefore, in order for Alanya to achieve peace, prosperity, and comfort, it is necessary to reach the highest levels in the economy."
Osman Ayık, the President of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED), who visited the Alanya stand, stated in his assessment that 2019 started with extremely positive indicators. He noted that there has been an increase in all source markets, and that the domestic market is just as important to Turkey as international markets. Ayık said, "There is still a distance to cover in terms of revenue. The global average is known. On average, international travelers spend around $1,000. However, the latest figures released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) are at the $650 level. When we improve the overall quality and the areas outside of our facilities, and offer products that provide different experiences to our guests, we can achieve a per capita income that approaches the global average."
Tourism professional Hüseyin Baraner said, "EMITT 2019 is the most vibrant and dynamic fair I have seen so far. Morale is high, and things are relatively good. Everyone wants to grow their business, improve it, and make it more sustainable. If Turkey makes the right decisions this year, it can rank among the top five in the world. We can also increase our national turnover."
Selim Soylu, General Manager of Alaiye Hotels, shared his impressions of the fair, stating that EMITT was more intense than expected. Soylu emphasized that the domestic market should never be neglected, saying, "The domestic market is very dynamic and offers high returns. The importance of this market became much clearer during the 2016 crisis. Maintaining it at a level of 15-20% is ideal for balance. Foreign data is also positive. There is high demand from Europe and Russia."
Merve Tüfekçi Özkefe, Domestic Marketing Manager at Shimdigo Tourism Agency, also provided information about preferences and sales. Özkefe stated that domestic sales began in Alanya, specifically within the Antalya region, and said, "Within the Antalya region, Kemer and Alanya are the most in-demand destinations." Özkefe emphasized that families prefer Alanya due to the abundance of mid-range hotels, and added, "For families with children, the 'All-Inclusive' system is the preferred option. Large rooms and open buffets are priorities. In family groups, women definitely influence the choice of hotel."