Turkey’s tourism industry is showing signs of recovery as the country has seen a rise in tourists and a boost in hotel occupancy rates recently. The government has been implementing policies to attract foreign visitors, including a vaccination campaign specifically targeting tourism workers, and a “Safe Tourism Certification Program” to ensure that hotels and other tourism facilities follow Covid-19 safety protocols. The program has received international recognition and has been adopted by several countries.
Turkey has also been working towards diversifying its tourism offerings to attract different types of travelers. While beach tourism remains a major draw, the country has been promoting adventure, cultural and gastronomy tourism. Additionally, Turkey is focusing on domestic tourism with campaigns to encourage local tourism and is promoting off-season travel to reduce the industry’s dependence on seasonal tourism.
According to data from the Culture and Tourism Ministry, the number of tourists visiting Turkey rose 46% in May 2021 compared to the same month in 2020, a relatively low base due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the numbers are still down compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The government hopes to increase the number of tourists to 30 million this year, up from 16.1 million in 2020.
The rise in tourism is also reflected in hotel occupancy rates, which have increased from 40-50% to 60-70% in recent months. As a result, many hotels that closed down during the pandemic have started to reopen, and new hotels are being built. The country has also seen an increase in tourism investments, including a $1.5 billion investment by Turkey’s largest hotel chain, Rixos Hotels, to build a hotel and resort complex in Istanbul.
The recovery of Turkey’s tourism industry is crucial for the country’s economy, as it is one of the major sources of foreign exchange earnings. The pandemic has hit the industry hard as travel restrictions and border closures reduced tourism inflows to near-zero. The government implemented economic measures to support the industry, including tax breaks, loan guarantees, and cash aid for tourism workers.
However, the industry faces several challenges as it tries to recover. The pandemic is still ongoing, and new variants of the virus could result in further restrictions and cancellations of bookings. Turkey is also competing with other countries for tourists, and some of its traditional markets, such as Russia and the UK, have imposed travel restrictions on the country. Additionally, security concerns continue to be an issue in some parts of the country, which may deter some tourists.
Despite these challenges, Turkey’s tourism industry remains optimistic about its recovery, and the government’s efforts to promote safe and diversified tourism offerings, along with the country’s natural and cultural attractions, bode well for the industry’s future.