AKTOB President Kaan Kavaloğlu stated that the number of tourists coming to Antalya has exceeded 3 million in May and the year-end target is 18 million. He said that the possibility of the end of the Russia-Ukraine war gives hope for a recovery in tourism.

Kaan Kaşif Kavaloğlu, President of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB), announced that the number of tourists coming to Antalya has exceeded 3 million as of May. Stating that he believes that the target of 18 million set for 2024 will be achieved, Kavaloğlu said that the signals of recovery in tourism are strong.

Emphasizing that the tourism sector went through a difficult winter period, Kavaloğlu said the following:

“There was a 20 percent decrease in the number of tourists in the first three months. But April was so good that we closed that 20 percent decrease. The number of people who came to Antalya in May has now exceeded 3 million. We are almost at the same figure as last year. We are about 50-60 thousand people behind. I see that this deficit will be closed by the end of June and I think we will increase by 5 percent. Because there are both holiday periods in June and last year there was a tourist profile that could not come due to the European Football Championship. I think we will not have such a problem this year and June will be very good.”

“The possibility of the war ending brightens our eyes”

Kavaloğlu also mentioned the talks in Istanbul to end the Russia-Ukraine war and the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Antalya, stating that these developments reinforce Turkey’s geopolitical importance. Kavaloğlu spoke as follows:

“Of course, it is very valuable that the Diplomacy Forum, NATO Summit and peace talks held in Antalya are in Istanbul. We are all aware of the importance of Turkey geopolitically, we live in a very valuable land. As individuals of this country, it is something that makes us proud. Therefore, the whole world keeps its agenda in our country. Turkey is already a country whose heart beats with tourism; the whole world knows its importance both politically and geopolitically. Our duty is to ensure that the tourists who come to our country return to their own countries happily. This is a serious reference point for us. Therefore, even the possibility of the end of the Russia-Ukraine war makes our eyes shine. Because you will appreciate that these two countries are among our biggest source markets.” “The Ukrainian market fell from 1.5 million to 300-400 thousand”

Emphasizing that the war had great effects on the tourism sector, Kavaloğlu made the following statements:

“There were great changes with this war. Ukraine was completely finished, there was a Ukraine with almost 1.5 million. Now this number has fallen to 300-400 thousand. The situation in Israel is in question, there is a loss of approximately 500 thousand people from Israel. Therefore, I think that if the war between Russia and Ukraine ends, we can get back to our old numbers. Antalya has a total target of 18 million for this year. I believe that this target will be achieved.”