Pour yourself a coffee and read Oceanwide Properties latest round-up of Turkey tourism news and reports:
Spain warned tourism numbers may drop due to interest in Egypt and Turkey (Express, October 26th, 2017) Spain has been warned that the popularity of affordable holidays in Turkey and Egypt may significantly impact on tourist number next year. Industry experts have said that it will be impossible for Spain to compete with the affordable prices offered in Turkey and Egypt. That security concerns are now waning and holidaymakers are re-booking destinations in both countries as it makes financial sense. Good news! Hopefully, Turkey can look forward to a great year!
Young Muslims expected to lead a boom in Halal Tourism (Daily Sabah, October 26th, 2017) According to the Daily Sabah yesterday young Muslims are expected to be the driving force of Halal tourism and are tipped to increase their spending by almost double in the next few years. Turkey is already one of the top Islamic travel destinations for those from Saudi and the Middle East with resorts offering an ever-growing number of facilities. The article suggests typical Halal concept travellers fall into two categories; The large family groups with a bulk expenditure taking one main holiday per year, and the under 36 younger set who may stay at cheaper hotels but enjoy holidays frequently. It is this set with disposable income, that end up spending the most during their time here.
Over 50,000 tourists have visited Mount Nemrut so far this year. (Anadolu Agency, October 26th, 2017) Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry announced that more than 52,000 tourists visited Mount Nemrut in Southeast Turkey so far this year, over 2000 of them foreign. Although this impressive site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, it failed to feature on the majority of traditional tourists radars. This impressive turnout hopefully means that those visiting Turkey are starting to stray further afield.
Tourism revenue in Turkey expected to be $3 billion higher this year (Daily Sabah, October 25th, 2017) The Chairman of the Association of Turkish Travel Agents (TURSAB), Basaran Ulusoy said that he expects Turkey’s tourism revenue to end the year in the region of $25 billion, a massive increase on 2016’s $22 billion figure. Speaking to Anadolu Agency Ulusoy said that he felt this year’s tourism season went well compared with last year but noted that we still have some way to go before enjoying the mammoth figures we achieved in 2014.
A gold for Turkey in the World Karate Championships (Anadolu Agency, October 25th, 2017) Enes Ozdemir won a gold medal in Cadet Kata at the World Karate Championships in Spain earlier this week. The event, finishing on October 29th, has also seen Turkey win two silvers so far.
75% increase in residential house sales to foreigners in September (Daily Sabah, October 24th, 2017) Turkish Statistical Institute announced that the number of house sales to foreign nationals during September jumped 75.2% year on year. The Daily Sabah says that effective VAT reductions have helped boost confidence in the Turkey real estate market. The month finished with 2,236 homes sold to foreigners, 35% of them in Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul. Iraqis again bought up the most (383), closely followed by the Saudis (344), Kuwaitis (160), Russians (129) and British (103).
Thomas Cook announces new Norwich to Dalaman route for 2018. (Eastern Daily Press, October 16th, 2017) A new direct route from Norwich Airport to Dalaman has been announced by Thomas Cook. A weekly direct flight will run from May 23rd throughout the summer. The article says that “Turkey is reinstating itself for British holidaymakers. It was the third most popular destination for Brits after Spain and Greece this year”. This comes following the demise of Monarch Airlines and at a time when Jet2 have also announced they are also running another 70,000 seats to Antalya, Dalaman and Turkey next year and including a new route from Birmingham to Dalaman. Let’s hope all these extra seats are filled with tourists spending money here from May!
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