Representatives of the tourism sector in Antalya expect that reservations, which were below expectations in the first months of the season, will increase in the summer and that the 2025 dates can be reached with the increasing demand, especially from June.
Industry representatives in Antalya, one of Türkiye's main tourism destinations, maintain their positive expectations for the high season due to market diversity, mobility in the domestic market and the influence of demand from Europe and Russia.
While tourism experts say the Eid al-Adha holiday will accelerate reservations, they also say reports of the decline in international tensions are having a positive impact on reservation activity.
Çetin Aktaş, general manager of a hotel in Manavgat, said that the first data for the March-May period was below expectations.
Aktaş expressed his hopes for the high season and said: “Increasing reservations from the second week of June give a positive signal for the rest of the season.” he said.
Stating that establishments that focus on guest satisfaction do not have reservation problems, Aktaş pointed out that personnel and inflation costs are putting pressure on the sector.
Aktaş pointed out the importance of long-term planning in tourism and said: “The short-term plan in tourism should be 5 years. In the medium term, forecasts for 10 to 15 years and in the long term, forecasts for 30 to 50 years should be used so that the sector can operate at a stable level.” he said.
Aktaş emphasized that Turkish tourism has gained significant market diversity in the last 20 years and stated that the British market's interest in the “ultra all-inclusive” concept in the Mediterranean has increased.
Stating that there was a limited decline in the German market and a partial increase in the Russian market at the beginning of the season, Aktaş explained that the Scandinavian, Balkan and Eastern European markets provide important collateral for the sector.
“With Eid al-Adha the season becomes more active”
Ali Kızıldağ, General Manager of a Hotel in Belek Tourism Center, also stated that reservations for Eid al-Adha are going well and that they will start the season with holiday activities.
Stating that reservations in the domestic and foreign markets are taking a positive course, Kızıldağ said that the winter season did not go as expected.
Noting that the mutual ceasefire messages between Russia and Ukraine as well as positive statements from the United States, Israel and Iran support tourism, Kızıldağ said: “Reservation activities continue. We will have a double holiday where we will celebrate both the holiday and the season.” he said.
“Türkiye remains a safe travel destination”
Travel agent Hira Kızıloğlu said that despite the crises in the Middle East, Türkiye continues to be a safe and stable travel destination, especially for European countries.
Stating that Türkiye's strong diplomatic relations will have a positive impact on tourism, Kızıloğlu stated that the sector has become more resilient to global crises compared to previous years.
Stating that the weak start to the season can be compensated for in the following months, Kızıloğlu said, “We expect that in the data announced at the end of 2026 we will see that the occupancy rate of at least 2025 has been reached.” he said.
“During the holiday season, occupancy will reach almost 100 percent”
Ercan Çek, Vice President of the Professional Hotel Managers Association, said that tourist activity started in May and that the holiday season in the Russian market had a positive impact on reservations.
Stating that high occupancy of hotels is expected during the Eid al-Adha period, Çek stated that some establishments have already reached high occupancy and that the occupancy rate will reach close to 100 percent during the Eid al-Adha period.
Pointing out that the sales of package tours from Russia continue and the really busy season will start in June, Çek said: “It seems difficult to catch up with last year's numbers, but if the war environment ends, we can have a better season than last year.” gave his assessment.
Hidayet Gökçen, President of Alanya Tourism Hotel Managers Association, pointed out that the sector is simultaneously experiencing the impact of high income targets and regional crises in the 2026 season.
Gökçen explained that due to tensions in Iran and its surrounding areas, the European market has experienced declines in reservations and early cancellations of reservations, and tourists have postponed their vacation plans until the last minute.
Gökçen pointed out that Türkiye's crisis management experience and market diversity were an advantage for the sector, noting that they expect a recovery in the second half of the year.
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