Metropolitan Municipality Mayor of Antalya, Muhittin Böcek, has emphasized the importance of considering the risks associated with tourism alongside its economic contributions.
Speaking at the February meeting organized by the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB) in Kemer, Mayor Böcek highlighted that Antalya, with its high-quality accommodation capacity, has hosted approximately 27 million domestic and international visitors with a dedicated service approach.
'Antalya generated $25 billion of the $61 billion tourism revenue'
Stressing Antalya’s pivotal role in the tourism industry, Mayor Böcek pointed out that out of the $61.1 billion tourism revenue generated in 2024, approximately $25 billion came from Antalya. Despite numerous challenges, he expressed gratitude to all contributors, particularly tourism sector representatives, for their efforts in achieving this success.
'Tourism-related risks should not be overlooked'
Muhittin Böcek also cautioned against ignoring the risks associated with tourism, despite its advantages, such as significant employment opportunities and its direct impact on over 50 sectors. He noted, “Our population has risen to 2.72 million, and the number of registered motor vehicles with the ‘07’ Antalya license plate has reached 1.57 million. Since 2019, while the population has increased by 210,403, the number of vehicles has surged by more than double that figure, rising by 501,094.”
Mayor Böcek’s remarks underline the importance of addressing the challenges that accompany tourism growth to ensure sustainable development in Antalya.
