Bodrum braced for tourism onslaught

Publishing

18 March 2024
19:15

Update

18 March 2024
19:15

Tourism operators in Bodrum are preparing to host thousands of tourists with luxury facilities, including a thermal hotel.

Professional Hotel Managers Association (POYD) Bodrum Representative and hotel General Manager Yiğit Girgin, said the main basis of this year’s strategy for Turkiye is 60 million tourists, 60 billion dollars in revenue.

Stating that this is an achievable income, Girgin reminded that there are many different options such as blue air, history, culture and gastronomy all over this country.

Girgin said: “The investor’s business knowledge, the increase in domestic chains, quality service, affordable accessible prices, prices that serve everyone, these are one of the reasons why we are actively preferred in tourism.

“Of course, there will be different destinations, different points. But with the marketing efforts made recently, especially after the pandemic, and the very serious devoted efforts of both the ministry, the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) and the NGOs and tourism professionals in the regions, we update our targets upwards every year.”

Stating that the price imbalances in 2023 have pushed them a little bit, but they foresee that the weather in 2024 will provide an increase of 15 percent, Girgin said:

“Speaking specifically for Bodrum, there is a parallel answer that the aircraft capacities have increased by 10-15 per cent in the interviews we have held with the tourism community recently.

“However, the continuity of the flow in bookings is in question, this is important. In other words, a rapid increase in bookings may cause rapid declines, but it is really important that they remain in flow. We see and know the frequencies that airline companies and operators have increased in this region, in Muğla, Bodrum, Dalaman regions and Antalya. We see the growth in aircraft bodies. All signs are currently showing a positive point. Of course, our country has an effective sector in last minute business, as the tourism sector. We expect to have a good season with last minute reinforcements.”

Recai Çakır, the owner of a thermal hotel in Kadıkalesi, said that Turkish tourism is now a country that takes measures against crises and has increased its market diversity.

Çakır noted that Turkey has an expectation of 60 million tourists and 60 billion dollars from tourism this year and he believes that this will be achieved.

Stating that reservations continue, Çakır said, “Compared to last year, winter reservations seem to be 20-30 per cent higher than today’s reservations. I hope we will achieve a good occupancy as of 1 April this season. If there is no negativity, I think 2024 will be another record year.”