Domestic tourists save the season in Aegean Region

He pointed out that tour operators tried to increase the numbers of domestic tourists because there were very few numbers of foreign tourists in Turkey. “It is always the same in Turkey. If foreign tourists don’t come, the tourism sector turns to domestic tourists. But you cannot see any promotion or big advertisement towards domestic tourism. Without making an effort the tourism sector cannot develop in the domestic market, too”. With the recent influx of domestic tourists, tour operators are hopeful for the second half of the summer season.

Mustafa Karacan, the chairman of the South Aegean Hotelkeepers Union, stated that the numbers of reservations were increasing. “In Marmaris, 40 percent of hotels and hotel resorts were full of tourists during May and the occupancy rate increased 45 percent in June. The reservations still continue. Despite the increase, we will end the season with a loss of around 20 percent,” said Karacan.

The new popular touristic town of the Aegean region Cesme was fuller than other touristic towns in the region. Cesme Hotelkeepers Union chairman Veysi Oncel noted that there was a decrease in the number of foreign tourists but were pleased with the incoming flow of domestic tourists.