Local hotels of Izmir were discussed in the interviews held within the scope of Izmir International Tourism Trade Fair and Congress.
Interviews continue with the participation of industry representatives within the scope of the 16th TTI Izmir International Tourism Trade Fair and Congress. On the first day of the fair, “How is the pulse of city hotels in Izmir?” and “Cruise Tourism in Izmir and the Aegean Region”. Participants gave information about İzmir's tourism potential and expectations from 2023.
Moderated by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Tourism Branch Manager Melih Kayacık, “How is the pulse of city hotels in İzmir?” Swiss Hotel Grand Efes General Manager Rıza Elibol, Hyatt Regency İzmir General Manager Zafer Canbaz, İzmir Palas General Manager Aydın Tokbaş, Marriott İzmir General Manager Sercan Korkusuz and Boyalık Beach Hotel General Manager Orhan Belge took part as speakers.
“THE OPENING OF NEW HOTELS, PROVIDING THE POTENTIAL OF THE CITY, IS HAPPY”
Swiss Hotel Grand Efes General Manager Rıza Elibol said, “We are a business hotel, not a holiday hotel. 60 percent of our guests staying in our hotel are Turkish and 40 percent are foreigners. I find it very pleasing that many chains have decided to invest in İzmir in recent years. It is a pleasure for us to open new hotels by foreseeing the potential of this beautiful city. I hope that this interest will increase in the future and that many more international chains will take place in this beautiful city. The arrival of new brand hotels in İzmir also contributes greatly to İzmir's economy. Although the 16th TTI İzmir Fair is the biggest tourism fair in Turkey, it has a different beauty this year, and the number of participants is very good. I hope that in this beautiful fair where we have the chance to meet and visit each other again, the new hotels that will be opened in our city will take their places next year. We will protect our fair together," he said.
"OUR GOAL IS TO ADD A NEW VISION TO IZMIR"
Zafer Canbaz, General Manager of Hyatt Regency İzmir, which will be put into service at the end of this month, said, “Our hotel is located in İstinye Park, which is a shopping center. Our aim is to contribute to the dynamics of the city with the luxury brands in the shopping center and the power of these brands. The vision of our hotel is to create an environment where our guests will feel comfortable, good and happy. We are trying to add a new face to the familiar face of Izmir. While highlighting our hotel, the history and tourism destinations of Izmir, the city where it is located, are the parts that everyone knows. With our newly opened hotel in İzmir, we are trying to write a new story for İzmir tourism with luxury shopping and various restaurants, we present the unknown as well as all the known ones.”
“WE ARE HOPE FOR 2023”
Aydın Tokbaş, General Manager of İzmir Palas, said, “Our hotel is one of the most rooted facilities in İzmir with its 95-year history. Since city hotel management is generally not for holiday purposes and business accommodation, making our guests comfortable is our primary goal. We are very hopeful for 2023 in the tourism sector. In the field of health tourism, our guests are getting more intense through agencies. We have plans and social projects in the field of health tourism next year. When every international brand hotel comes to Izmir, eyes naturally turn to Izmir. Every incoming brand attracts the attention of another brand and they wink at İzmir in terms of investing.”
“IZMIR TOURISM IS EXTREMELY AVAILABLE FOR GROWTH”
Sercan Korkusuz, General Manager of Marriott Izmir, said, “As Marriott, we are a new hotel in Izmir. Under the umbrella of Marriott, we strive to offer a product that will meet the expectations of our guests and provide them with a luxury experience. In my opinion, Izmir tourism is a very big market that is very suitable for growth, demand will increase gradually and products will diversify. After my experience in different parts of Turkey, I saw this in Izmir. We have very valuable hotels here. In this sense, we want to contribute to the growth and development of İzmir together with our other valuable stakeholders.”
"IZMIR IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND DESERVES THIS SUCCESS"
Orhan Belge, General Manager of Boyalık Beach Hotel, said, “Tourism is the generator of economies in countries. The potential of tourism, also called flueless industry, is increasing day by day both in our country and in the world. Although the season seems to be limited to summer in Çeşme, our hotel is a facility preferred by our guests for both thermal tourism and congress tourism in winter. Tourism is also my hotel, not your hotel. When we all succeed and we will all be well so that İzmir can develop. Because İzmir is a very beautiful place and it deserves this success.”