Antalya is one of the most important tourism centers in the world. The sharp declines due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 broke records despite the Russia-Ukraine war that started in February 2022.
In Antalya tourism, after the 'best October of all time' record, the 'best November of all time' record was also broken. Speaking to DHA Antalya Governor Ersin Yazıcı announced that as of 30 November, 13 million 138 thousand 88 foreign tourists came to the city by air in 11 months. Pointing out that there is a 48 percent increase in the number of foreign tourists arriving by air, Governor Yazıcı said, "We had a very good season and we continue to have it. Among the countries, Russia comes first with 23.5%, followed by Germany with 22%. British people around 9%. European countries such as Poland and the Netherlands are ranked with 6%," he said.
Best November by 60k Differences
Explaining that October was the best of all times, Governor Ersin Yazıcı said, "In October, we had even higher guests than 2019, the 'Peak Year'. November was the same again. This is a proud figure for our city. In November 2019, 335 thousand guests checked in, 394 thousand 791 people in November 2022. We had a very good November with a margin of 60 thousand people.
Governor Yazıcı stated that although there was a decrease in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, there were increases from countries such as Germany, England, Poland, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, "We had a very good season. 2020-2021 was the pandemic years. we've arrived," he said.
Tourism Season Extended by 20 Days
Stating that the occupancy rates in hotels and facilities increased by 20% this year compared to previous years, Governor Yazıcı said, "It is evident from the figures in November. Last month, I met with tourism professionals and tradesmen in both Alanya and Kemer. I wanted to mention these two districts in particular. As of the beginning of November, we have many hotels. "It was closing the season. We saw that the closure period was extended from the first week of November to the last week. Most of the hotels in Alanya and Kemer were closing. It is pleasing for our city that the season has extended to a later date by 20 days." Noting that the hotels in Belek and Kundu do not close in winter, but the facilities in Manavgat, Alanya and Kemer were closed at the beginning of November, Governor Yazıcı said that the 20-day delay in closure provided a great profit, "Antalya is doing this job well. It participates in world tourism at the highest level. Therefore, I think it will be better every day since we provide the highest standard of service."
Both Occupancy and Revenue Increased
Stating that occupancy rates continue in Kundu and Belek and there is a 30 percent increase in income, Governor Yazıcı said: "There is a 10-day calculation procedure for non-governmental organizations in this business in Europe. According to the calculation, the average amount of money left in Turkey is calculated. In previous years, it was around 630-640 dollars per person. In countries such as Spain and Italy, it can reach up to 1200-1300 dollars. It has been calculated that the figure has increased to around 830 dollars as of this year. This situation will mainly be determined by the end of December. Although we cannot catch up with the number of tourists in 2019, we consider that a significant contribution has been made to the country's tourism and economy with an increase of 30%. We take the countries in the Mediterranean basin as our basis. It finds 1200-1300 dollars there, and it has increased to 830 dollars. I hope it can go even higher. "
More Tourists Came For More Than The Total Of 2 Years
A total of 12 million 275 thousand 903 foreign tourists came to Antalya by air, 3 million 377 thousand 910 in 2020 and 8 million 896 thousand 993 in 2021. Against the sum of the last 2 years, 13 million 138 thousand 88 foreign tourists entered the city by air in the 11 months of 2022. Thus, the tourism sector in Antalya has surpassed the total in the last 2 years. In the January-September 2021 period, in the facilities with a tourism operation certificate with an occupancy rate of 47 percent; The occupancy rate was 66 percent in the same period of 2022. As of November; The indoor facility rate was around 85 percent last year. It has decreased to 60-65 percent this year. The number of facilities remaining open increased from 15 percent to 35-40 percent.
Russian Tourists Rank First
According to the 11-month data of 2022, the countries sending the most tourists and their share in the total number of foreign tourists are as follows: "Russia 2 million 950 thousand tourists, 23.49 percent share, Germany 2 million 764 people 22.01 percent share, England 1 million. 123 thousand people 8.94 percent share, 757 thousand people 6.03 percent share in Poland, 439 thousand people 3.5 percent share in the Netherlands. These countries; Kazakhstan, Romania, Israel, Czechia and Denmark followed. (Mehmet Cinar-DHA)