The Turkish hospitality industry expects a surge in tourism activity from Eid al-Fitr, Nevruz, Easter, and school breaks, aiming for 65 million visitors and $64 billion in revenues. Key figures indicate a 15% increase in bookings for the Eid holiday. Local hoteliers anticipate high occupancy rates, with favorable weather conditions enhancing tourist appeal.
Representatives from the Turkish hospitality sector anticipate strong tourism activity in the coming months, driven by the Eid al-Fitr, Nevruz, Easter, and school holidays. Turkey aims to attract 65 million visitors, with projected tourism revenues of $64 billion this year. The Eid al-Fitr holiday will be observed from March 29 to April 1, coinciding with the mid-term school break. This period typically sees millions traveling to reconnect with relatives or enjoy resort towns.
The Nevruz holiday, occurring on March 21, is also expected to inspire a significant influx of tourists from Iran, the Middle East, and Turkic countries. Additionally, the tourism industry is optimistic about the influx of tourists during the Easter holiday in April and Russia’s Victory Day holiday in May, a crucial time for Turkish tourism.
According to Mehmet İşler, vice president of the Turkish Hoteliers’ Federation (TÜROFED), bookings for the Eid al-Fitr holiday have increased by 15 percent over last year. He predicts the holiday will kick-start the 2025 tourism season ahead of schedule, with expected hotel occupancy rates reaching 100 percent. Accommodation prices range from 2,000 to 10,000 Turkish Liras.
Kaşif Kavaloğlu, president of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Investors Association (AKTOB), also anticipates an uptick in local visitors to resort towns owing to Easter and Russia’s upcoming long holiday. He highlighted that while March can be challenging for the tourism industry, April is expected to be notably busy.
Kavaloğlu noted that the high tourism season in Antalya usually begins at the end of April, but this year it is set to commence as early as April 1 due to Eid al-Fitr. With favorable weather in Antalya, where temperatures are between 22-25 degrees Celsius, he remains hopeful for a rise in visitor numbers. Ismail Çağlar, a manager at a five-star hotel, remarked on the promising bookings from Europe for the Easter holiday and the travel influx associated with the Nevruz holiday from Turkic Republics and the Middle East.
In conclusion, the upcoming holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Nevruz, and Easter are anticipated to significantly boost the Turkish tourism sector. With projections of high hotel occupancy rates and an influx of visitors from various regions, Turkish hoteliers are optimistic. The hospitality industry is preparing for an exceptionally busy season ahead, indicating the resilience and attractiveness of Turkish tourist destinations.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
