TURKEY: Antalya Hosts 14 Million Visitors For The First Time

As one of the leading tourist destinations in the world, the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya has hosted more than 14 million visitors for the first time in its history.

According to data from the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, the number of tourists arriving at Antalya and Gazipaşa airports as of Oct. 15 reached 14.05 million.

It had hosted some 12 million tourists in approximately the same period of last year.

The city had welcomed some 13.6 million tourists throughout 2018, and with some two-and-a-half months left it is moving toward a goal of 16 million tourists.

Russia took the lead in the number of tourists visiting Antalya among 193 countries.

Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 15, the number of tourists from Russia increased by 15% compared to last year, reaching 5.2 million.

Germany came second with an increase of 16% with 2.3 million tourists, followed by Ukraine with 776,000 visitors, the U.K. with 656,000, Poland with 516,000, and the Netherlands with 397,000 tourists.

Professional Hotel Managers Association (POYD) President Ulkay Atmaca said that they had a good September and October compared to previous years. Pointing to the 20% growth achieved in the first half of October, Atmaca stressed the importance of this figure.

He pointed out that the season was also longer this year compared to the previous years. From May to September, it was considered the high season. Mobility started in April this year, and it still continues in October, which shows that the season is prolonged. It is good for the tourism sector, Atmaca said.

We have broken a record in October. We had set the 16 million target for the end of the year, and Antalya will probably reach this target and set a new record. We set a new record every month. So 2019 has been the year of records for us, he added.

Having hosted 2.3 million German tourists last year, Antalya welcomed over 2.5 million visitors from Germany between January and October.

On a monthly basis in October last year, 368,941 German tourists visited Antalya, while in the same month this year, the city attracted 423,206 visitors from the said country.

The growth in the German market, which is essential for Turkish tourism, has pleased the tourism sector.

Antalya, which hosts millions of tourists every year as one of the leading tourism centers of the world, stands out with its luxurious hotels, sea, sand and sun, as well as its historical and cultural texture.

According to data from the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism regarding Antalya Airport, 14.1 million foreign tourists came to the city between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2019.

Russians took the lead in the number of tourists coming on a daily and monthly basis, followed by Germans.

Professional Hoteliers' Association (POYD) Chairman Ulkay Atmaca said that the hoteliers in the province are proud of the increase in the German market, recalling that they brought over 2.5 million German guests to Antalya in the first 10 months of this year.

Stressing that this figure will reach 3 million by the end of the year due to the collective effort of the sector and all its stakeholders, Atmaca said they expect to close the season with more than 3 million German visitors.

2016 taught us a lot, one of which was market diversity and publicity. We conducted studies in this direction, he continued, underlining that Turkey set records and experienced significant increases in all markets.

Erkan Yagcı, chairman of the Mediterranean Tourism Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB), stated that 2015 was the best year for the German market with 3.2 million German visitors, pointing to a rapid recovery in the German market after 2016.

The increase in this market has pleased the sector. We think that these figures will continue to increase. We want to reach the 2015 figures in 2020 and beyond, he noted.

TURKEY: Marvelous Antalya Expecting 7 Million Tourists

Antalya, one of Turkey’s most popular tourist attractions in the Mediterranean region, has welcomed a total of 6.9 million foreign tourists between January and July 18, marking a strong 16 percent annual increase.

Some 86,000 tourists arrived in the city each day through Antalya and Gazipaşa airports, but on July 14 the city saw a record 96,191 arrivals.

The previous daily arrival records were broken again this year on June 22 with 86,308 and June 29 with 90,989.

We wake up to a new day with a fresh record. If this trend continues we will easily meet our target of hosting 16 million tourists set for this year, Ülkay Atmaca, the head of the Professional Hotel Managers’ Association (POYD), said.

What matters is not only breaking records but also creating a sustainable tourism industry, Atmaca noted. We need to receive 90,000 tourists every day throughout the year, he added.

The Russian and European markets are performing well so far and there have been increases in the number of tourists visiting the city, according to Atmaca.

He reiterated hoteliers demand that the government extends the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday to nine days to give boosts to domestic tourism activity.

Foreign tourist arrivals have been in line with expectations so far, said Erkan Yagcı, the president of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers’ Association (AKTOB).

Yagcı stressed that Russian tourist visits have particularly been satisfying.

Last year we hosted 4.8 million Russian holidaymakers. We predict a 5 percent to 10 percent growth in the number of Russian tourists per year. We target to welcome more than 5 million Russian tourists, he said.

In remarks he made in June, Yagcı said that at least 250,000 Russian police officers and their families are expected to visit Turkey starting from August after Moscow removed a ban that had prevented members of the Russian security forces from traveling to some countries.

Full of archaeological sites, Antalya is a haven for those who love to delve into history. One of the best-preserved theaters in the world, with a seating capacity of 15,000 spectators, Aspendos is a site to marvel at! During summer, this theater comes to life with Opera performances.

Perge, an important trading port back in 1300 BC, is another great site to see ancient ruins. It was conquered by Alexander the Great and was used as a base for his future conquests. Phaselis, Termessos, Olympos, Myra – these are some of the interesting sites that will take you back in time!

If you are a hiking enthusiast then you must take the Lycian trail – a marked trail around the coast of Lycia in southern Turkey, from Fethiye to Antalya.

Unique and breath-taking, the Lycian Way is a darling of avid hikers and has been rated as one of the most beautiful long distance hikes in the world!

Stretching over 540 kilometers, this trail promises an abundance of wow moments. Passing through several ancients ruins, villages, mountains, and offering some stunning views of the Mediterranean – head for the Lycian Way, your trails will never be the same again!

In the old town of Kaleici, the historic centre of Antalya, it is easy to get lost in the maze, but at the end of the day you will be truly satisfied. Walk in the narrow, cobbled streets, admire the stone and timber houses built during the Ottoman-era; most of them converted into hotels.

As the day draws close, sit by the ancient harbour, while admiring the most enigmatic sunset. The harbour is home to boats and yachts and has plenty of restaurants and bistros offering the best of Mediterranean cuisines.

Enjoying a meal or two by the harbour front or by a beach, or on a mountain – the dining experience in Antalya is quite different.

From a five-star rated restaurant to a traditional, homely food joint, or a quaint cafe near a waterfall, there is no dearth of great places to enjoy a good meal in this city.

Antalya is one of the best places in Turkey to experience luxe living! Stunning beaches dotted with luxury resorts and hotels, life is a retreat here in this picturesque town.

Whether you fancy a sprawling resort near a beach, or a cozy hideout with an old world charm, Antalya has it covered for you!

Night owls can look forward to having a gala time in Antalya! As the sun goes down, this summer town dons a different look.

The town is filled with big, fancy discs, as well as small, cosy pubs and bars – catering to the needs of different types of travellers. Antalya’s nightlife is legendary!

The old town of Kaleici is the best place to shop for local goods and souvenirs from Antalya. Clothes, jewelry, antiques, and carpets – everything is available in the market.

Antalya’s biggest street bazaar, Lara Street market is yet another great place to shop and hone your bargaining skills; it opens every Saturday.


Tourism Observer