Speaking at Professional Hotel Managers Association's (POYD) monthly meeting, Hakan Saatçioğlu expressed satisfaction with the success of the current tourism season. He noted a significant increase in the number of tourists compared to the previous year.
"As of October 16, the number of international passengers arriving at Antalya and Gazipaşa airports has reached 15 million," said Saatçioğlu. "Russia ranks first among the countries sending the most tourists to Antalya, with 3.25 million visitors. Germany follows with 2.75 million, and the United Kingdom with 1.3 million visitors."
Saatçioğlu highlighted a 7 percent increase in the number of foreign tourists and stated that they are on track to achieve their goal of attracting 17 million tourists by the end of the year.
Call for support to airlines
Saatçioğlu also emphasized the need for financial support for airlines, noting that the biggest expense for tour operators bringing tourists to Türkiye, particularly during the off-season months from November to March, is air travel.
“The high cost of flights is why there are fewer tourists visiting Antalya in the winter months,” he explained. “Currently, the government provides unemployment benefits to hotel staff laid off during the winter. If this unemployment support were redirected as subsidies for flights, tour operators would be able to bring in more tourists at lower costs. This would allow hotels to maintain their staff year-round, reducing layoffs during the winter season."
