Early Season Boost for Tourism in Turkey

The combination of the Ramazan Bayram holiday and the school’s mid-term break has brought good news to the tourism sector. In Antalya, which opened the season early, hotel occupancy rates are approaching 95%. It is expected that 20 million people will travel during the holiday, contributing to an estimated 120 billion TL holiday economy.

Traditionally, the tourism season opens between April 15 and May 1, but this year, the season will start early with the Ramazan Bayram. The holiday, coinciding with the school break, will benefit the tourism sector. It is expected that 20 million people will travel, including family visits, with a holiday economy reaching 120 billion TL.

Although the Bayram holiday is extended to 9 days, domestic tourists typically prefer a 3 to 4-day trip. In Antalya, which has seen a surge in bookings over the past two weeks, hotel occupancy rates are approaching 95%. The tourism sector is aiming for a new record this year, with the Ramazan Bayram followed by Easter in April and the Russian Victory Day holiday in early May providing additional boosts.

Hotel Occupancy and Expectations

The President of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), Firuz Bağlıkaya, mentioned that hotel occupancy during the holiday period is expected to reach 70%. He also stated that the 3 to 4-day trips, including family and hometown visits, are typical for the Bayram period, and total travel numbers could exceed 20 million. Around 10% of these travels are expected to directly contribute to domestic and international tourism. Bağlıkaya predicts that the total economic impact from the holiday and mid-term break could reach 120 billion TL.

Tourism Outlook in Antalya and Other Regions

Kaan Kavaloğlu, President of the Mediterranean Tourist Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB), noted that there has been significant reservation activity for the Ramazan Bayram. He emphasized that the overlap of the Bayram with the school break creates a favorable situation for the sector. Kavaloğlu highlighted strong reservation flows from both Turkish citizens living abroad and those in Turkey. He mentioned that March was a tough month for the sector, but with the upcoming holidays in April, business is expected to pick up. By the end of the Bayram period, 70% of Antalya’s hotels will be open, and after the Bayram, the Easter holiday will bring more bookings. Kavaloğlu further stated that Antalya’s high season, typically starting at the end of April, effectively begins on April 1st this year, with the holiday providing a jump-start. He also mentioned that hotels are seeing occupancy rates above 80%, with some reaching 100% during the Easter period.

Tour Packages and Booking Trends

Ali Onaran, the Chairman of Prontotour, shared that foreign travel bookings for the Bayram period have reached about 80% occupancy, with visa-required tours reaching 95% capacity. This is due to the difficulty in obtaining visas, causing these tours to fill up early. For non-visa destinations, such as the Balkans and Egypt, occupancy is around 75-80%. Cultural tours are especially popular during the Bayram, with packages for regions like Cappadocia, the Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP), and the Van-Eastern Express in high demand. Cyprus also saw intense interest, with an 80% occupancy rate.

Accommodation Prices for Bayram

• Antalya: All-inclusive hotels start from 6,700 TL, with average prices at 25,000 TL for 5-star hotels.
• Çeşme: Boutique hotels offer stays starting at 7,000 TL, while 5-star hotels average 27,000 TL.
• Bodrum: All-inclusive hotels start at 7,500 TL, with prices going up to 45,000 TL.
• Cyprus: The most affordable accommodations start at 8,000 TL, while the most expensive can reach 188,000 TL.
• Cappadocia: Hotel prices start at around 9,000 TL and can go up to 90,000 TL.

Conclusion

The early start to the tourism season, driven by the Ramazan Bayram and school break, is providing a significant boost to Turkey’s tourism industry. With high hotel occupancy rates and strong bookings, especially in Antalya, the tourism sector is set to experience a prosperous period. The expected 120 billion TL holiday economy will be a major contributor to the country’s economy, and the early bookings indicate a strong start to the tourism season.