“Target in Tourism: 47 Million Tourists, 37 Billion Dollars Income”

– When 'tourism' is mentioned in Turkey, the first thing that comes to mind is the sea-sand-sun trio… However, Anatolia also has a very serious potential for history, gastronomy, health and congress tourism. What is being done to develop these areas? Do you find the studies sufficient?

Although Turkey was first preferred for sea-sand-sun tourism with its beautiful coasts, it is imperative that Turkey diversify its tourism in a planned and sustainable manner. With its unique geography, climate, cuisine, culture and history, Turkey is a paradise that must be discovered for its enthusiasts. We want to show and promote the values ​​of Anatolia in every field to both our citizens and foreign tourists. Recently, we have been making great efforts to better promote our Capital, especially in the country and abroad. We see the result of these efforts with the increase in the number of tourists. As Anatolian and Capital tourism professionals, we have full faith that the days ahead will be better. We would like to thank our Ministry of Culture and Tourism, TGA and our Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism.

- Turkey, Tourism Promotion and Development Center (TGA) It aims to set new records by raising the bar in tourism with each passing day. As a tourism operator undertaking the duty of TGA Central Anatolia Region Representative, can we get your evaluations on this issue?

We make strategic plans at every point of tourism for a permanent and sustainable growth. As a result, we get the reward of our efforts and intensive promotional efforts. We started the season with 42 million tourists and 35 billion dollars revenue target and revised our target as 47 million tourists and 37 billion dollars revenue despite the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war. From now on, we will continue to reach much better numbers every year.

– Anatolia'What are the problems faced by tourism operators and hotels in Turkey? Is the tourism sector and especially hotels ready for winter in Turkey? How do you plan to meet the increased costs?

As tourism operators in Anatolia and Ankara regions, the increasing costs and energy prices due to the economic crisis in our country are our most important problems. Tourism, one of the sectors most affected by the pandemic, has been struggling with the devastating effects of the epidemic since the beginning of 2020, and now it is crushed under the increasing costs. This situation needs to be managed better so that the energy costs faced by hotels are not reflected especially on domestic tourists and there is no high increase in season prices. 

capital'What are your evaluations about the in tourism route?

Like other capitals in the world, we wish Ankara to host more cultural and artistic events and to stand out more in this sense. Ankara is one of the first cities that health tourists visit in Turkey. With its strong infrastructure, high-tech health services, qualified human resources, more than 50 public, private and university hospitals and a giant city hospital, Ankara maintains its leading position in health tourism as one of the leading cities in Turkey in this field.

Ankara, which offers thermal tourism and spa opportunities spanning four seasons for domestic and foreign guests, brings together its thermal resources with high quality facilities. If the increase in world-class quality spa and thermal facilities and medical industry investments are accelerated in Ankara, which has a thermal water source in almost every district, our capital will make a big leap in health tourism.

Our capital's becoming a tourism city will be realized by evaluating its great potential in culture, art and health tourism. As Anadolu Ankara Tourism Operators Association (ATID), we act together with all tourism stakeholders by combining our energy and strength with the aim of making Ankara a world-renowned brand.

– What do you do as the Anatolian Tourism Operators Association? Can we get information about your association and its current works?

ATID, which has been operating since 1984, Anatolian Ankara Tourism Operators Association We are carrying out important studies to contribute to the development of tourism in Ankara and Anatolia. Our association, which has implemented many projects, also successfully represents Ankara and Anatolia in many national and international fairs and organizations. 

Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TUROFED)Our association, which played an active role in the establishment of , has a total of 170 members, 80 hotels in Ankara and 250 hotels in Anatolia. As an association, our primary goal is to develop cooperation between members and to serve Anatolian tourism with the strength we derive from it. Developing regional tourism, especially in Ankara, and reviving domestic tourism is among our primary goals. 

We are making great efforts to bring the targeted tourist movement in the domestic market to the top in our region and to make our region an important center in culture, history, health and thermal tourism. As ATID, we have the opportunity to explain the tourism potential of Anatolia personally by participating in all national and international tourism fairs with our members. 

Our association, acting with the mission of protecting the common economic and social interests of businesses operating in the field of tourism and contributing to the direction of the general tourism policy in line with the demands from the grassroots, continues its activities with the vision of reinforcing the unity and solidarity of the tourism community under the association's mentality and making Anatolia a brand in the world tourism markets. 

Source: HORECA Trend