At the traditional July luncheon hosted by the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB) at Rixos Sungate in Kemer, AKTOB President Kaan Kavaloğlu provided key insights into the current state of the tourism sector. Kavaloğlu announced that Antalya has reached its highest tourism numbers ever, with a significant influx of visitors in recent months.
“Antalya achieves record-breaking tourist numbers”
During his speech, Kavaloğlu revealed that Antalya welcomed about 7 million tourists, marking the highest figures to date. "In the first six months, Antalya recorded the highest tourism activity, showing a 14 percent increase compared to 2023. Despite war conditions, the Russian Federation reclaimed its position as Antalya's top source market from January to June," he stated.
Huge seasonal difference in Türkiye
Kavaloğlu further explained the seasonal preferences of tourists: "Russian visitors favor July, Germans prefer October, while British, Polish, and Dutch tourists predominantly choose August. Unlike Spain, where visitor numbers only double between low and peak seasons, Türkiye experiences over a fourfold increase. This 500% variation between winter and summer seasons brings infrastructure challenges."
“Euro exchange rate pressures tourism sector”
Kavaloğlu addressed the financial strain caused by the Euro exchange rate. "The Euro rate significantly impacts us, deeply affecting our operations. This will be a major challenge in the winter season. Previously, we attracted tourists due to our competitive pricing. However, current Euro-indexed prices no longer cover our costs, and the necessary price hikes are unaffordable for consumers," he explained.
“Negotiating to fill the gap left by FTI’s winter operations”
Discussing the sector's response to FTI’s bankruptcy, Kavaloğlu mentioned ongoing negotiations with other tour operators and airlines to fill the void, particularly in winter operations. "Seasonality will pose a serious issue in the coming seasons. To maintain consistent and quality employment in our hotels, we must overcome the challenges of seasonality. Currently, only 10 percent of hotels in Antalya remain open during winter due to structural and marketing deficiencies, leading to reduced employment and financial constraints. Ensuring continuous tourist flow and keeping hotels operational in winter is crucial. Therefore, increasing winter flights and seat availability is essential," he emphasized.