Marine tourism professionals are hopeful for the season

Despite the visa problem between Turkey and EU countries, sea tourism professionals carrying passengers from Balıkesir's Ayvalık district to the Greek Islands in the Aegean expect an occupancy rate that can reach 90 percent during the Eid al-Adha.

Ali Jale, Chairman of the Board of Directors of a company that organizes reciprocal flights between Ayvalık and Lesbos Island in Greece, and Ayvalık Representative of Aliağa Chamber of Shipping, spoke about the problem. He said that there has been a decrease compared to previous years due to the visa problem, but he still believes that the reservation rate will reach 80 to 90 percent, especially on the eve of the feast.

Reminding that the Eid al-Adha holiday was extended to 9 days with the Presidential Decree, Ali Jale said, “We are not in a bad situation with the reservations we received during this 9-day holiday period. We are still at a booking level of up to 70 percent. However, as it is known, there is a visa crisis between EU countries and Türkiye. This is an important factor affecting our industry negatively.”

After the pandemic process, Jale stated that they made a very good start to the 2023 season, considering the number of passengers they took to the Greek Islands on May 19 and May 1 holidays, as well as the last Ramadan Feast; “We even achieved a momentum that was slightly above the 2019 data. Considering these data, in fact, our holiday reservations were full and we were supposed to open additional flights right now. However, we are watching at 65-70% rates so far. We, as the stakeholders of this sector, think that this situation is entirely due to the visa problem. But despite all these negativities, I hope that we will achieve a booking density of 8 percent or even more than 90 percent until the holiday period.

Noting that the Turkish authorities are holding diplomatic talks with EU countries on the solution of the visa crisis, Ali Jale said, “I hope that a solution to this problem will be found as soon as possible. In fact, the most reasonable EU country in resolving this problem is Greece. Countries such as Germany, Italy and France have closed visa appointments for Turkish tourists. Accordingly, Greece can issue a visa, albeit a little. But at this point, visa periods and entry numbers can be a problem. I believe that if the dialogues between EU countries and Turkey develop, we will overcome this visa crisis. Because we have come to this day by overcoming hundreds of troubles. In particular, the pandemic process and many problems experienced in the past were resolved every time with the contacts and mutual dialogues of both our Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Transport. I believe we will overcome this.”

No visa application at the door
Reminding that the easy visa application at the door between Turkey and Greece ended in 2019, Jale said, “As of 2019, this application is no longer available. Since 2019, there has been no development regarding the relaunch of the easy visa at the door. Greece is also negotiating with EU countries on this issue. But it is the organs and institutions of the EU that will make the final decision on this issue. Unfortunately, there is no easy visa application at the door in 2023, as Greece has not received any permission for this visa so far, including the EU Parliament."

No visa barrier for those with green and gray passports
Ali Jale, noting that only Turkish citizens with green and gray passports can go to EU countries from Ayvalık during the tourism season that will start during the holiday and after, said, “Our citizens with green and gray passports do not have any visa problems. Those who do not have these two passports will only be able to spend their holidays in EU countries by obtaining a Schengen visa.