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Turkey has once more been seen as the top destination for a number of countries, including Germany, even though the tourism industry worldwide is still recovering following the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.
The International Tourism Exchange Fair
The head of the German Travel Agencies Association (DRV), Nobert Fiebig, spoke last month in Berlin at the International Tourism Exchange (ITB) Fair. He talked to express his optimism for the Turkish tourism industry following the COVID-19 pandemic, which started back in 2020.
He continued to say that: "We received strong reservations in December, January and February. The good news for our Turkish partners and friends is that Turkey is at the top.”
The importance of face-to-face
Fiebig noted that it was the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak three years ago that the fair has taken place, while emphasising the importance of the fair as a face-to-face event.
Fiebig continued to explain that: “While the industry is recovering, and the booking situation is currently very positive. Last year we already had a very good summer season, we almost reached the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. And indeed, this will continue. We received strong bookings in December, January and February.”
Holidaying in ‘traditional’ destinations due to cost hikes
Fiebig explained that Germans were wanting to go away on holidays following the sad time of the pandemic, and because of this they were making reservations at old traditional destinations – reimagined – like Turkey.
High inflation rates and costs of energy increasing were having the largest impact on German decisions for holiday destinations as the price of such trips becomes more sensitive, Fiebig explained.
He followed this by noting: "We see that destinations with excellent prices and quality are very popular. German customers are particularly interested in all-inclusive offers as they provide budgetary assurance.”
Furthermore, he said that: “Turkey is one of the most successful destinations for German tourists, and demand for all-inclusive packages is particularly high. We are actively working to encourage more Germans to travel to Turkey and maintain the strong relationship between our two countries.”
Partnership between Turkey and Germany
Fiebig emphasised that within the tourism industry there is an importance for a partnership to be established between Turkey and Germany, noting further that the DRV is committed to promoting tourism to Turkey and ensuring German travellers are safe and satisfied.
A rebound unlike no other has been witnessed in Turkey
Foreign arrivals to Turkey has neared record and all-time highs in revenue since 2022, making a complete rebound from the fallout that came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has prompted the Turkish government to raise its tourism estimates for this coming year.
Revenues for tourism were seen to jump 53.4% in 2022 to a record $46.3 billion, which blew miles past the previous recorded high of $38.4 billion seen in 2019 before the onset of the pandemic. Following the main outbreak of COVID-19, the figures stood at $30.2 billion in 2021, and during the height of the pandemic in 2020, when movement around the world was limited, the figures stood at just $14.8 billion.
Increased arrival numbers to Turkey this year
The Culture and Tourism Ministry spoke in February to say that in January alone the number of foreign travellers to the country increased by 56.51% from 2022 to approximately 2 million.
Topping the list for most foreign visitors to Turkey in January were Russia, Bulgaria and Germany, who sent a combined total of 587,000 tourists; this is according to the data released.
Future prediction from the Culture and Tourism Minister
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the Culture and Tourism Minister, has said that the total number of foreign visitors is expected to reach at least 60 million in 2023, before hitting 90 million by 2028. In terms of income, the Turkish government has said it will rise to $56 billion in 2023, and $100 billion in five years.
