Tourism gets a 9-day holiday boost

Due to the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş last year, the tourism season started late, but this year it has been brought forward with the nine-day Ramadan holiday. Occupancy rates in Antalya, Bodrum, Sapanca, Afyon, and Cyprus have reached 60-70%, and there will be a festive atmosphere in the facilities.

The tourism sector is making a rapid entry into the season with the nine-day Ramadan holiday from April 6th to 15th this year.

Starting in the third week of March and followed by the Easter holiday in Europe, the nine-day Ramadan holiday that followed has brought joy to tourism professionals, affecting the entire Turkish world.

The coincidence of the holiday with the interim holiday period also increases domestic market activity, positively impacting holiday sales. Kaan Kavaloğlu, President of the Antalya Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB), says that extending the Ramadan holiday to nine days has delighted tourism professionals and ensured an early start to the season.

Reminding us of the very late start of the tourism season last year, Kavaloğlu says, "After the local elections, this holiday will offer the Turkish people a chance to relax and rest. Considering the Nevruz and Easter holidays, this year the season will open in the third week of March."

Emel Elik Bezaroğlu, a Board Member of Elite World Hotels & Resorts, also emphasizes that extending the holiday to nine days is encouraging for tourism. She says they are experiencing holiday congestion in their Sapanca hotels and highlights that they have prepared special artistic programs for holidaymakers to enjoy their time.