Ramadan Holiday turns out to be a true life-saver for tourism sector in Turkey

After many days of agony due to lack of incoming foreign tourists, businesses in the sector had a relief thanks to the 9 days long Ramadan holiday.

The decision made by the administration to prolong the normally 3 day holiday to 9 days seems to have been great support to the companies in the hospitality sector. Indeed, it is reported the sector is enjoying an occupancy rate of over 80 percent – even 100 percent in some hotels – during the holiday.

Turkey with major achievements in the sector in recent years has a considerable large potential for accommodating guests but has been struggling due to lack of incoming tourists after the crisis of downed Russian jet fighter.

Normally “four-and-a-half days” is the average holiday period during Eid al-Fitr. Being aware of the extremely difficult situation of the sector the government announced that the holiday would be 9 days this time.

However it is noted by professionals in the sector that any extension of such holidays, as happened this year, should be announced earlier in order to allow people more time to arrange their vacations.

It was also reported that some parts of the southern resort province of Antalya were not fully occupied yet and still open to reservation, although many hotels in central Antalya were almost full.

BTT