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The Euro-indexed prices do not cover our cost

Kaan Kavaloğlu, speaking at the July dinner meeting of the Antalya Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB) held at Rixos Sungate in the tourist district of Kemer, addressed issues related to FTI's bankruptcy and rising hotel costs. Particularly focusing on filling the significant gap left by FTI, which plays a crucial role during winter operations, Kavaloğlu mentioned they are in talks with new tour operators and airlines that can support new operations. He stated: "Seasonality will be a serious problem in the upcoming seasons. If we desire to maintain employment levels and quality in our hotels, we need to overcome seasonality. Only 10% of hotels in Antalya remain open during winter. Many of our hotels cannot stay open in winter due to structural and marketing deficiencies, leading to reduced employment and financial opportunities. This creates significant problems regarding employment. Hotels should not close in winter; tourist flow must continue. Therefore, flights and increased seating capacity during the winter season are crucial. Let's acknowledge the concentration of Thomas Cook towards us and be aware of FTI's concentration towards us. As tourism professionals, let's base our efforts on this. Our work with operators and airlines focused entirely on us, Antalya, and Turkey is progressing in coordination with the ministry during this process." Kavaloğlu also emphasized the impact of the Euro exchange rate on the tourism industry, stating, "This situation deeply affects us. Another issue that will challenge us in the winter season. We were reaching these tourist numbers due to our price advantage. However, at this point, prices indexed to the Euro exchange rate do not cover our costs. The price increases we've implemented are seen as excessive by consumers."

Antalya Leads in Home Sales to Foreigners

In June 2024, a total of 4,340 homes were sold in Antalya, with 2,638 being second-hand sales. Antalya ranked first in Turkey for the number of homes sold to foreigners in June. The Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) shared statistics on the number of homes sold nationwide in June. Home sales in June decreased by 5.2% compared to the same month of the previous year, totaling 79,313. The provinces with the highest number of home sales were Istanbul with 13,025, Ankara with 6,866, and Izmir with 4,361, while the provinces with the fewest sales were Ardahan with 34, Hakkari with 40, and Tunceli and Bayburt with 44 each. In the January-June period, home sales decreased by 3.7% compared to the same period of the previous year, totaling 545,074. In Antalya, 4,340 homes were sold in June 2024, with 2,638 being second-hand sales. In Isparta, 348 homes were sold, with 248 being second-hand sales, and in Burdur, 156 homes were sold, with 96 being second-hand sales. Antalya also led in home sales to foreigners in June. Sales to foreigners decreased by 45.1% compared to the same month of the previous year, totaling 1,440. The share of homes sold to foreigners in total home sales in June was 1.8%. The provinces with the highest number of homes sold to foreigners were Antalya with 593, Istanbul with 478, and Mersin with 116. In the January-June period, home sales to foreigners decreased by 45.7% compared to the same period of the previous year, totaling 10,461. Most homes sold to foreigners were purchased by citizens of the Russian Federation In June, the highest number of homes sold to foreigners by nationality were to citizens of the Russian Federation with 332, followed by Iran with 156, and Ukraine with 102. 4o

Milas-Bodrum Airport served 1,574,000 passengers in six months

Milas-Bodrum Airport, serving the region including the district of Bodrum in Muğla, which is considered one of the world's most important tourism centers, served 639,099 passengers in June. Opened in 1997, Milas-Bodrum Airport, with its domestic and international terminals, provides air transportation services to both local and foreign tourists, primarily to the touristic facilities in Bodrum. In the first six months of 2024, the airport hosted 1,574,123 passengers. In the six-month period, Milas-Bodrum Airport handled 14,944 aircraft movements and 15,550 tons of cargo. In June 2024, the airport served 5,854 aircraft and 639,099 passengers. The amount of cargo transported in June was 7,221 tons.

The Şerafettin Elçi Airport served 41,455 passengers in June

Şırnak Şerafettin Elçi Airport served 41,455 passengers in June. The General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ) of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure shared the passenger, aircraft, and cargo statistics for June 2024 for Şırnak Şerafettin Elçi Airport. According to the statistics, domestic passenger traffic reached 41,455, and the number of aircraft movements on domestic routes was 797. The total cargo (cargo + mail + baggage) traffic was 446 tons in June. In the first six months of 2024 (January to June), passenger traffic was 215,435, aircraft traffic was 3,437, and cargo traffic was 2,068 tons.

EU Issues 'Tourism' Warning to Greece

Greece's Tourism Success Faces EU Sustainability Warning Nicosia – Greece has achieved historic success in tourism during the summer of 2024, enjoying the revival of tourism after a difficult economic period. Reports from Greek media highlight developments in the sector. However, the European Union (EU) has issued a warning that the recent 'boom' in Greece's tourism sector may not be sustainable. According to Brussels, Greece's tourism industry is overheating, which could lead to unwanted developments over the next decade. Record Tourism Boom According to Kathimerini, Greece continues to gain popularity among European tourists. Previously achieving significant numbers in the tourism sector, Greece is now the 4th most preferred destination in Europe according to the European Travel Commission (ETC), marking a 6% increase from the previous year. The summer of 2024 has seen a notable rise in tourist spending, particularly from American visitors. Tourism Momentum Across Europe Greece's tourism momentum is closely tied to broader trends in Europe. The economic news site Oikonomos Tahydromos reports that tourism spending across Europe is expected to reach 800 billion euros in 2024. Referencing a recent Bloomberg report, the site noted that tourist spending in Europe is anticipated to reach record levels post-COVID-19. The report indicates that 75% of European travelers plan to travel between May and October 2024, with a focus on Mediterranean destinations like Spain, Italy, and Greece. Intra-European travel trends are also on the rise. Sustainability Concerns However, recent figures and expectations from the European and Greek tourism industries have raised concerns among EU officials. According to Skai.gr, a new European Parliament (EP) study suggests that the current tourism model is unsustainable and that Greece's tourism sector faces a risk of collapse within the next decade. Experts have highlighted the pressure of excessive tourist flows on water and energy resources and the difficulties in preserving cultural and historical sites. Santorini at Risk, Resources Depleting New reports focusing on Greece’s tourism issues particularly highlight infrastructure and environmental problems in destinations like Santorini due to overcrowding. Skai.gr's report notes that Greece's water resources are nearing depletion in many areas, energy consumption, especially in hotels, has reached critical levels, and there are challenges in preserving historical sites. Additionally, alternative accommodation options like Airbnb are negatively impacting local demographics, with residents struggling to cope with high living costs. EU Recommendations The European Parliament's new report emphasizes the need for Greece to manage its tourism sector sustainably in the future. Given that tourism constitutes 25% of Greece's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), developing a sustainable tourism model is crucial. Experts recommend implementing specific restrictions during peak tourist seasons, encouraging alternative types of tourism, and directing tourism revenue towards projects that improve local welfare. Eduardo Santander, CEO of the European Travel Commission, also suggested that enhancing the appeal of less popular destinations could lead to a more balanced distribution of tourist traffic. 3.5

The Cruise Sector Will Grow Until 2028

Concerns Over Overtourism Expected to Fuel Cruise Sector Growth Until 2028 The cruise sector is on track to significantly increase its passenger numbers, expecting to carry more passengers by 2028 compared to the 31.7 million recorded in 2023. This growth is occurring as the industry recovers and surpasses pre-pandemic levels. Marie-Caroline Laurent, the European Director of the International Cruise Lines Association (CLIA), announced that 57 new cruise ships have been ordered in addition to the current fleet of approximately 300 ships to meet the anticipated demand. In response to environmental concerns and in compliance with EU maritime regulations set to take effect by 2030, cruise companies are modifying their ships to use electricity instead of highly polluting marine fuel when docked at ports. However, the sector's expansion is not without challenges. Protests against overtourism have emerged in popular European destinations, most recently in Barcelona, where demonstrators targeted tourists with water guns. According to CLIA representatives, Barcelona, the largest cruise port in Europe, accounts for only 4% of the city's total tourist visits. Despite this, Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni has expressed his intention to negotiate a new agreement with the port to reduce the number of day-trip stops by cruise ships. Laurent from CLIA highlighted the potential impact of these protests on future cruise itineraries, suggesting that adjustments could be made to ensure passengers are well-received. She indicated that the industry might focus on expanding cruise vacations to Asia, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, and alternative Mediterranean ports. While the World Travel and Tourism Council predicts Spain's tourism revenue will approach €100 billion in 2024, up from 2019, the cruise sector forecasts a modest 5% increase in visitors to Spain. This figure is significantly lower than the overall summer tourism growth expected by Spanish officials.

105,698 people have flown from Koca Seyit Airport

Koca Seyit Airport, located in Balıkesir's Edremit district and connecting the Northern Aegean holiday resorts to the world by air, served 105,698 passengers in the first half of 2024. During the three-day holiday period, the airport attracted attention with flight occupancy rates exceeding 90%. Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport operates flights to two airports in Istanbul, Ankara Esenboğa, and Germany. With five passenger flights conducted daily, the airport also hosts flight schools to meet Turkey's pilot needs and the Ministry of Forestry's firefighting aircraft. In the first six months, Koca Seyit Airport saw a total of 11,062 flights, including 10,987 domestic and 75 international flights. During this period, 97,077 domestic passengers and 8,621 international passengers, totaling 105,698, received pre- and post-flight services. The airport is also noted for its commercial flights, with 810 commercial flights, including 759 domestic and 51 international, conducted in the first half of the year. The airport is particularly notable for its high occupancy rates during holiday periods and peak tourism seasons. During the three-day holiday, the commercial flight occupancy at the airport exceeded 90%.

Salam Air continues to expand its flight network

The low-cost airline SalamAir has announced a new flight route connecting Muscat, the capital of Oman, to New Delhi, the capital of India. SalamAir will operate flights to Delhi twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This significant move marks a new chapter in SalamAir's commitment to providing exceptional service, unique comfort, and seamless connectivity for passengers between Oman and India. The launch of flights to Delhi represents a key step in SalamAir's goal to expand its network and offer affordable, comfortable travel options. This new route will strengthen connections between Oman and India, benefiting expatriates, tourists, and business professionals alike. SalamAir aims to enhance the travel experience by offering competitive prices and excellent service, making it a popular choice among passengers looking to explore new destinations. This new route is expected to make travel between India and Oman more accessible and enjoyable, meeting the expectations of travelers.

Why did Greece switch to a six-day workweek?

While some countries around the world are considering moving to a four-day workweek, Greece is heading in the opposite direction. This policy, approved as part of the labor law announced by Mitsotakis's right-wing government last September, came into effect on July 1. According to Greece's new law, employers can have employees work a sixth day by paying 40% more than the daily wage for the extra working day. For example, if a worker’s daily wage is 100 Euros and they previously earned 500 Euros a week, their weekly earnings will rise to 640 Euros. If a company adopts this working arrangement, it must apply it uniformly to all its employees. In Turkey, according to labor law, employees can be made to work on the 6th day without any pay. In Greece, employees will also be allowed to take on a second part-time job and work up to a total of 13 hours a day, meaning an employee could work up to 78 hours a week. WHY DID GREECE CHANGE ITS WORKING SYSTEM? Mitsotakis said the new regulation was necessary due to the aging population and the shortage of skilled workers. According to Eurostat, more than 500,000 Greeks have left the country since the debt crisis erupted in 2010. According to Eurostat, Greeks already work longer hours than most Europeans. However, unions argue that the law will worsen working conditions, increase burnout, and reduce workers' quality of life. George Dimitriadis, an executive at the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), said, "This approach is reactionary and not aligned with modern trends that promote work-life balance and the improvement of employees' well-being." Dimitriadis added, "While supporters argue that a six-day workweek will increase productivity, GSEE fears the long-term consequences will be negative, leading to higher health costs and decreased productivity due to burnout." THE WORLD IS MOVING TOWARDS A FOUR-DAY WORKWEEK Greece's shift to a six-day workweek is also seen as contrary to global trends. While Greece is moving towards a longer workweek, the trend in other countries is to shorten the number of working days. In 2022, Belgium passed a law allowing workers to reduce the number of days they work from five to four. In April of this year, Singapore also announced that it would move towards a shorter working week. Additionally, similar pilot programs have been tested in the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Canada, Spain, Ireland, and Iceland. In the UK, 54 out of 61 companies that experimented with a four-day workweek continued with the system, and 31 said they would make the transition permanent. In 2022, one of the world’s largest trials of shorter working hours showed that workers who worked four days were as productive as those working a five-day week. An organization called 4 Day Week Global conducted a trial in Ireland with 33 companies and more than 900 employees, describing it as "a success resonating on nearly every dimension." The organization’s pilot programs also yielded positive results in non-Western economies like South Africa and Brazil, with increases seen in both incomes and employee well-being.

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