Trabzon is experiencing bustling days in the tourism season with the intense interest of Arab tourists. The number of tourists arriving in the region is increasing daily, leading to a significant rise in the number of international flights at Trabzon Airport.
A Popular Destination for Gulf and Middle Eastern Tourists
The city of Trabzon, renowned for its historical and natural beauty in the Eastern Black Sea region, has become a favorite destination, especially for tourists from the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. Daily direct flights from 12 countries, including Kuwait, Amman, Sharjah, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Muscat, Doha, Bahrain, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, arrive at Trabzon Airport. The city, famous for its plateaus, particularly attracts Arab tourists.
Intense Tourist Influx and the Issue of Unregistered Facilities
Mehmet Ali Tuna, Vice President of TÜRSAB’s Eastern Black Sea Region, stated that the number of planes landing at Trabzon Airport from international routes has increased compared to last year. “Last year, on July 1, 2023, 15-16 planes were landing, but today this number has reached 21,” Tuna said. However, this increase does not reflect on the hotel occupancy rates. Tuna pointed out that the abundance of unregistered facilities is one of the main reasons for this situation. “Today, it is said that there are around 2,000 unregistered facilities. In this context, we welcomed the law proposal adopted by our Ministry. However, the lack of inspections is felt on the ground,” he said.
Day Trips and Regional Tourism
Tourists staying in Trabzon generally prefer day trips. Tuna highlighted that day trips to popular tourism destinations such as Uzungöl, Çal Cave, and Hıdırnebi, as well as neighboring provinces like Ordu, Giresun, and Rize, are popular. “Day trips to Batumi are also quite popular among tourists,” he said.
Inspection Deficiencies and Unregistered Tourism Activities
Tuna emphasized that there is no institution other than TÜRSAB conducting inspections. “Right now, I can say clearly that there is no other institution conducting inspections on the ground besides TÜRSAB. We are trying to conduct inspections with two of our personnel,” he said. He highlighted that unregistered tourism activities, especially tours conducted with MA-plated vehicles, are a major problem.
Sustainability of Tourism and the Need for Investments
Tuna stressed the need to increase investments for the sustainability of tourism in Trabzon. “Arab tourists prefer our city and region. However, we need to make more investments to increase their length of stay here. We need to create locations where they can enjoy themselves and spend time,” he said. Tuna mentioned that Ordu sets an example in this regard, stating, “Very good investments are being made in Ordu. Certain attraction areas have been established. Similar investments should be made in Trabzon.”
Lack of Fair and Congress Centers
Tuna pointed out the lack of fair and congress centers in Trabzon. “We have not had a fairground in Trabzon for years. We don’t have an entertainment center. We have focused on the Gülcemal Project for years, but it is unclear when this project will be completed,” he said. Tuna emphasized the need to create a common understanding with the city’s managers and investors to solve these problems.
Interest from Foreign Tourists and the Need for Diversification
Tuna mentioned that tourists from countries like Greece, Germany, and France also visit Trabzon. “These tourists are generally expatriates. Historical sites such as the Sumela Monastery and the Girls’ Monastery are preferred. However, we should not think of tourism as only Middle East-oriented. We should diversify tourism by cooperating with different markets,” he said.
Last Year’s Tourism Data
Last year, Trabzon hosted a total of 1,319,299 domestic and foreign tourists. The number of tourists, which increased by 38% compared to 2022, comprised 706,532 foreign tourists and 612,767 domestic tourists. The most popular tourism destinations in the city included Uzungöl, Sumela Monastery, Sera Lake, Çal Cave, Şahinkaya, Boztepe, Ganita, and Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Trabzon continues to shine in tourism with its natural and historical richness. However, for the sustainability and development of tourism in the region, increasing investments, inspections, and cooperation with local administrations is of great importance.
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