Tens of thousands of workers in the tourism sector have moved to competitor countries, particularly Egypt. Turkish tourism operators are now seeking to fill the personnel gap by recruiting students from countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.
Budget Crisis and International Searches in Antalya
In Antalya, many Turks are unable to afford vacations and are seeking alternative options abroad. The tourism sector has also lost a significant number of employees to competitor countries. Since the pandemic, it is estimated that around 100,000 tourism workers have gone abroad. The Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TTYD) board met with journalists to discuss this issue. TTYD President Oya Narin stated that they had sufficient human resources before the pandemic, but were unable to retain them. She highlighted that many service sector employees have been transferred to the Arabian Peninsula, where they can earn between $3,000 and $5,000 a month. Narin added, “We are facing such difficulties that we are making agreements with schools in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan to attract personnel to Antalya. We offer them $500-600 plus food and accommodation.”
Kyrgyz and Turkmen Workers Contributing to Tourism
Responding to journalists’ questions about how many people have left, TTYD Vice President Mehmet Nane said, “The number has exceeded 100,000 during and after the pandemic. Turks are in key positions, such as top management, waiters, and chefs.” Nane also noted that a significant portion of the staff in hotels in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, are Turkish. Oya Narin pointed out that the Turkish coast is filled with five-star hotels, stating, “We cannot accommodate lower-budget groups because there are no 4, 3, 2, or 1-star facilities.” Mehmet Nane emphasized the importance of residences for long stays, noting that Spain has nearly 500,000 residence beds, and opening up the sector to residences is crucial.
Istanbul Traffic Affecting Tourism
Istanbul’s heavy traffic is also a significant problem for tourism. TTYD President Oya Narin mentioned that despite receiving excellent service at Galataport, they cannot transfer their guests to Sultanahmet and Nuruosmaniye. “This situation alienates tourists. The preferential road to the historic peninsula allows small tourist vehicles but not tourist buses. The governor’s office suggests using trams, but you can’t put elderly American or European tourists on a tram. They immediately file a compensation claim, and the agency objects,” she said.
Cost Issues Compared to Competitor Countries
TTYD Vice President Mehmet Nane pointed out that prices in Turkey are higher for tourists compared to competitor countries. “Think of yourself as a tourist. Last year, you came and bought a drink for 18-20 liras, which was under 1 Euro. This year, the same drink costs 40 liras, but the currency exchange rate has increased less. Naturally, you can no longer buy that drink with 1 Euro,” he explained. Nane noted that high inflation has raised costs, and the exchange rates have also increased by about 40%.
© www.aerohaber.com | www.tr.aerohaber.com
Note: Aviation news on our news site cannot be used without citing the sourc
