Turkish hoteliers expect increased tourism activity due to Eid al-Fitr, Nevruz, and Easter holidays. Türkiye aims for 65 million visitors and $64 billion in revenue in 2023. Strong bookings and favorable conditions suggest a robust tourism season starting earlier this year. Expectations of high occupancy rates and significant interest from local and international tourists underscore the optimism within the hospitality industry.
Representatives from the Turkish hospitality sector anticipate a surge in both domestic and international tourism driven by the forthcoming Eid al-Fitr, Nevruz, and Easter holidays, along with the school break. Türkiye is targeting 65 million visitors and aims to generate $64 billion in tourism revenue in 2023. The Eid al-Fitr holiday will occur from March 29 to April 1 and will coincide with schools’ mid-term vacation, leading to increased travel as families visit relatives or enjoy resort destinations.
The upcoming Nevruz holiday, starting on March 21, is expected to bring many travelers from Iran, the Middle East, and Turkic countries. Turkish hoteliers also look forward to the Easter Holiday in April and a lengthy national holiday in Russia in May, a crucial market for Türkiye. According to Mehmet İşler, vice president of the Turkish Hoteliers’ Federation (TÜROFED), bookings for the Eid al-Fitr holiday have increased by 15 percent compared to last year, indicating strong demand.
İşler anticipates that hotels will achieve a 100 percent occupancy rate during the Eid holiday, marking the commencement of the 2025 tourism season earlier than usual. Accommodation prices at amenities range from 2,000 to 10,000 Turkish Liras for two-room guesthouses and five-star hotels, including breakfast.
Kaşif Kavaloğlu, president of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Investors Association (AKTOB), shares a positive outlook for the influx of local tourists in resort towns, attributing this optimism to the upcoming Easter and May Victory Day holiday in Russia. He conveyed that while March is traditionally a tough month for tourism, April is anticipated to be exceptionally busy. Kavaloğlu noted, “Although Antalya’s high tourism season typically begins at the end of April, this year it will start on April 1st, thanks to the Eid al-Fitr.”
Favorable weather conditions in Antalya, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 25 degrees Celsius, enhance the appeal for visitors. İsmail Çağlar, a manager at a five-star hotel, remarked on promising bookings from European travelers for Easter and acknowledged a significant influx from the Turkic Republics, the Middle East, and Iran during Nevruz.
Overall, Turkish hoteliers are optimistic about the tourism prospects in the coming months, with several holidays coinciding to create a robust tourism season.
In summary, Turkish hoteliers are optimistic about the upcoming holidays, projecting a substantial increase in tourism activity driven by Eid al-Fitr, Nevruz, and Easter. Positive booking trends reflect growing interest, and favorable weather conditions are likely to attract even more visitors. The hospitality industry is poised to kick off the 2025 tourism season earlier than anticipated, positioning Türkiye for a prosperous year. The collaboration among tourism stakeholders, coupled with the celebrations in neighboring regions, will likely contribute to the anticipated success of the sector.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
