Tourism Crisis in Turkey

[CatalkoyChris]

BBC website is reporting Turkey as having a hard time touristic wise this year.

I see that as an opportunity for a cheap holiday.

[Dalartokat]

It's not looking good at all.............http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36549880

[Keithcaley]

...I see that as an opportunity for a cheap holiday.

...and let's not worry about the poor buggers who are getting blown up!

[Deniz1]

so how does having a 9 day holiday at Eid help tourism then?

[Keithcaley]

so how does having a 9 day holiday at Eid help tourism then?

What makes you think that the extended holiday was ever intended to help tourism? - I've never seen anything to suggest that that was the intention.

It looks to me like a sop to the masses with the aim of increasing the President's popularity, ultimately smoothing his path towards a Presidential dictatorship.

[Briannu]

Had a week in Side Turkey in beginning of June and yes English tourists thin on the ground. However Turkey is not the cheap holiday destination it used to be and this will be a big factor in the tourism numbers. Now expensive and food and drink way in excess of North Cyprus prices with Effes over a fiver a pint in out hotel. All items priced in Euros and when you convert to Lira which we did the mark up was horrific. So its not only the security issues its the cost of living ( in my opinion of course)

[Laura B]

I think the nine day holiday for Şeker Bayram is intended to enable Turkish people to travel to the tourist areas much the same as last year. Tourists do not only come from abroad. There are now many 'middle class' Turks who enjoy seeing their own country.

[Deniz1]

Mentioned in another post Keith.

[Keithcaley]

Mentioned in another post Keith.

Ah yes...here

It can be a bit confusing for the reader when you answer a post on one thread on another thread though!

I appreciate that it is sometimes difficult to keep track when there is more than one thread running on the same subject.

I still think that it was intended to boost the President's popularity!

[mrsgee]

Just got back from a few days in Antalya, and can confirm it is sadly lacking in tourists. The old town is absolutely beautiful, and a lot of effort and money has gone into making it nice, but it is deserted. Spoke to taxi drivers, shop keepers and waiters, all saying the same thing, it is Erdogan who has caused it because he doesn't want tourists there. They really dont know what will happen as they are not making the money during the tourist season to get them through the winter. Russians have stopped going, and not that many Brits either.....but, still had a great time, visited the waterfalls and the aquarium, both well worth it. Will just say though if anyone does go to visit the aquarium, it is worth knowing that if you have a TRNC residency stamp in your passport, you get a big reduction on the price, well worth it. Just said to see it so empty, and locals struggling for business.

[CatalkoyChris]

It is an argument that the lack of tourism is in fact what the terrorists want

[MoonageDaydream]

Yes the terrorists do want to kill the tourist industry, as they almost did in Tunisia and Egypt.

As to Turkey, well the number of terrorist incidents in the last yeaer is having an effect, but Erdogan`s increasingly authoritarian stance on a number of issues doesn`t help either.