Tourism in Turkey hopeful over recovery to pre-pandemic levels, according to industry officials, with high hopes that come amid risks such as an escalation in tensions between Ukraine and Russia, which are among its most important tourist markets.
Hotel and tourism officials also warned of soaring costs and sharp increases in utilities, food and wage costs, which could limit profits and broader benefits for an economy that is facing inflation that soared to a 20-year high in January.
The rebound after long setbacks caused by the pandemic that halted travel is seen as boosting the economy, along with the help of a recent decline in the Turkish lira that has made the country a more attractive destination than ever.
The high season starts in May for Turkey’s Mediterranean and Aegean beaches and historic treasures.
Europeans especially are already booking trips, good news for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government, which has adopted a new economic policy relying heavily on foreign income to curb the current account deficit.
“Early bookings started with high speed. We’ve got strong bookings, especially from Britain. They’re almost in line with 2019,” said Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED) vice chair Bülent Bülbüloğlu.
He said early bookings traditionally start with Britons and are taken as a reference for the season, with strong demand also expected from other European countries, Russia and Central Asia.
Foreign arrivals in Antalya, among Turkey’s most popular holiday destinations, totaled 117,818 in January, matching 2019 levels, data showed.
But a further escalation of the Russia-Ukraine crisis may pose some risk for the season, Bülbüloğlu told Reuters.
“We get good signals from Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and the Scandinavian market too … Turkey has become a destination where visitors can have the most affordable holidays with their own currencies. It is now a paradise for foreigners.”
The lira has been broadly stable since the start of the year following a 44% decline in 2021 and all-inclusive deals make Turkey even cheaper.
