Turkey’s tourism industry has overcome bird flu and political upheaval, and many specialists say sales have taken a turn for the better. Dinah Hatch reports
Last year was the first in four when Turkey did not have to overcome one crisis or another, and specialist tour operators to the region are now letting out a cautious sigh of relief and confirming healthy holiday sales for 2008.
The destination has long attracted the budget-conscious bucket-and-spade holidaymakers. But recently, and undoubtedly with a nod to the fact that Istanbul is the 2010 European Capital of Culture, the Turkish Tourist Board is pointing Brits to lesser-known areas such as Cappadocia and the Black Sea coast. It has paid off, to an extent.
Olympic Holidays commercial director Photis Lambrianides said: “We have seen clients becoming more interested in the cultural attractions Turkey has to offer and that manifests itself in resort when they ask about excursions.”
Anatolian Sky managing director Akin Koc echoed this. He said: “Tailor-made holidays and guided tours that take in the less-explored parts of the country are doing well for 2008, particularly Cappadocia and eastern Turkey.”
Goldtrail sales and marketing manager Joe Lavers has witnessed a growing interest in Bodrum as a hub to fly into. There has also been an increase in couples booking either side of the summer holidays.
Travel agents are saying that more people are actively requesting Turkey, instead of looking for a holiday within a certain budget and being directed to the country by the agent.
With British Airways and BMI launching routes into Antalya this year, along with the construction of two six-star hotels, the region is being tipped as a hot destination.
Cosmos product manager Gemma Carroll said: “Our second-edition Summer Holidays brochure has seen a good increase in sales, with all gateways selling well. But Antalya in particular is outperforming everywhere else, with an 11% rise.”
The hotel construction industry is also booming. Mosaic Holiday managing director Sabina Shaida said: “Turkey’s hotels are getting more sophisticated, which people have started to realise, so the four and five-star market is hotting up. Turkey has matured and now offers a much more sophisticated product.”
- Read our round-up ofsummer 2008 Turkey brochures
