AND AS INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS PREDICT, THE MARKET IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO GROW IN SIGNIFICANCE.
Boasting seven geographical regions and numerous popular destinations, each with its own distinctive qualities and a variety of attractions and offerings, Turkey is perceived as an ideal destination for culturally-induced holidays.
Foreign arrivals to the country touched 36.24 million in 2015, indicating a slight 1.61 percent decline over 2014.
Regardless, tourism stakeholders are forging ahead to reach higher numbers this year, shaking off the stigma attached from recent events, and in doing so, looking towards their neighbours in the east.
“[The] Middle East market has [always played] an important role for JW Marriott Ankara, ever since its opening in 2011.
It can be characterised as a growing market with high accommodation potential [which is] developing year after year,” noted Mustafa Bulmus, director of sales and marketing, JW Marriott Hotel Ankara.
“Speaking of the reasons of this annual growth, development of economic and political relations between Turkey and Middle East countries can be named as a major factor of this rapid growth.”
“[The] Middle East market is definitely growing in Turkey.
[Relations between] Turkey and the Middle East have strengthened [...],” stated H. Riza Elibol, general manager, Swissôtel Büyük Efes, Izmir, specifically highlighting Izmir’s appeal to this market due to its geographical features, and shopping and cultural offerings.
As Elibol noted, since the launch of the hotel, Swissôtel Büyük Efes, Izmir has acted as a tourism ambassador for Middle Eastern travellers to the city, promoting the destination’s potential to the region.
The property is also represented at trade exhibitions, and also partakes in road shows and sales calls across the Middle East.
Similarly, Levent Cengiz, general manager, Renaissance Izmir Hotel, commented, “There is tremendously increasing demand from Middle Eastern guests, which makes the Middle East an important market for us.
The year-round beautiful weather of Izmir, the historical bazaars that the city offers, the health sector’s growth and cultural similarity all play a big role [in this development].”
