Despite a record number of tourists in the Marmaris district of Muğla this summer, revenue is lower than expected because of cheaper holiday tour options. Though it is mid-September, the four and five star hotels in the region are still working at 90 percent capacity.
Southern Aegean Tourism Hotels Union (GETOB) President İlhan Açıkgöz said that the vivacity in the markets would continue till mid-November.
“After the bomb explosion, many reservations were cancelled,” said Açıkgöz. “This year unlike usual, the Russian tour operators who normally left the region in September, are going to continue bringing tourists until early October. The English are likewise going to come until mid-November.”
Turkish Travel Agencies Union (TÜRSAB) Marmaris Branch Executive Board President İsmail Özbozdağ said that the number of tourists to Marmaris increased when compared with last year”s numbers.
Yet, income has fallen, he said. Özbozdağ related this decrease with increased competition in the market that has provided cheaper holiday prices for the international tourist.
“Tourism is no longer an attractive sector because the number of administrations offering holiday alternatives is increasing in the world. This leads to competition within the market. Though the tourist number increased in the region, there is an obvious fall in the income.”
Özbozdağ claimed that the country should be promoted. More tourists do not always mean more income, he said.
“We should promote our countries” cultural, historical and natural beauties. We should serve with more qualified personnel and facilities. And in return we should ask for more money,” said Özbozdağ
Domestic News - Resource: Turkish Daily News
