The fact that the rate of domestic holidaymakers in Alanya, the favorite tourism center of Antalya, reached 30 percent, which was around 15 percent, pleased the sector representatives.
In Alanya, which has a population of approximately 400 thousand and approaches one million in summer, the increase in the number of domestic tourists in recent years draws attention.
The addition of local holidaymakers to the tourists coming from Europe and Russia during the tourism season makes the representatives of the sector smile.
Alanya Touristic Operators Association President Burhan Sili told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the district has 650 facilities and a bed capacity of 200 thousand.
Stating that this capacity corresponds to 30 percent of Antalya's capacity and 10 percent of Turkey's, Sili said, "An average of 180 thousand people stay in hotels. It is also possible that this number increases to 200 thousand. The number of holidaymakers in second homes and daily visits reaches 500 thousand.
Sili stated that domestic tourism, which is the most important market of the country's tourism, is a lifeline in times of crisis.
Sili stated that as Alanya they give the necessary importance to the domestic market, "With the extension of the holiday, the weight of the domestic market in tourism was felt. As Alanya, we felt this. We received demands from our guests with our facilities that appeal to all segments and our wide hinterland. Currently, 30 percent of our facilities are filled with the domestic market, and we supply 60-70 percent from our foreign source markets."
Sili emphasized that having facilities that appeal to every income group and having a wide market are advantages.
Stating that the developing UK market also shows demand for Alanya, Sili continued as follows:
"We are spending June and July to the fullest with the activity of the domestic market. We hope that we will continue in the same way in August. Our main problem is that we can only see a week or two ahead. Unfortunately, the earthquake disaster we experienced this year stopped demand in all source markets, including the domestic market. "The presidental election process that followed also remained stagnant. We did not receive many requests for pre-bookings, but we are trying to fill this gap with last-minute bookings."
Sili said that the domestic market is indispensable and the holiday concept of domestic tourists has changed over the years.
Stating that they are trying to offer the citizens the necessary opportunities for a holiday by increasing the prices in proportion to the costs, Sili said, "The domestic market has reached the capacity to be utilized in line with the country's possibilities. While the rate of domestic tourists coming to our district was 10-15 percent before, it increased to 30 percent. Processes such as tents and holidays in second homes have left their place to holidays in facilities."
"THE LOCAL TOURIST'S CONTRIBUTION IS GOOD"
Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Eray Erdem stated that the holiday culture of Turkish people is increasing gradually.
Expressing that the preference of domestic tourists not only for domestic tourism but also for vacation abroad has increased, Erdem said, "This will increase even more in the coming period. Because we have a population of 85 million. I think it was low until now. Now I think it is returning to normal."
Emphasizing that the contribution of domestic tourists to occupancy in the short term is good, Erdem said, "We are in the high season period seasonally. Currently, the prices are high and the contribution of domestic tourists is good, but when we spread this throughout the year, it still remains low compared to foreign guests."