ALTAV and Alanya Municipality Host Joint Tourism Summit
The Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALTAV), hosted by Alanya Municipality, held a tourism summit. During the summit, discussions were held with representatives of tour operators shaping regional tourism regarding the evaluations for 2024 and planning for 2025.
The Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation welcomed representatives from tour operators operating in Alanya and the surrounding region. The meeting, where evaluations of tourism in Alanya for 2024 and the goals for 2025 were discussed, was held at Occo Beach Restaurant. Attendees included Osman Tarık Özçelik, who is both the Mayor of Alanya and the President of ALTAV, Eray Erdem, the President of the Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ALTSO), Kerim Sarıkaya, the President of the TÜRSAB Alanya Regional Representative Board, Kerim Kılınç, the Vice President of the Alanya Tourist Operators Association (ALTİD), Abdurrahman Açıkalın, the Vice President of ALTAV and Mayor's Advisor, Sadık Dizdaroğlu, Mayor's Advisor, members of the ALTAV Board of Directors, representatives from tour operators, and media representatives.
During the meeting, where the current status, problems, and future plans for Alanya tourism were evaluated, Osman Tarık Özçelik stated, “One is greater than zero. Even during the election process, we said, ‘We will not destroy anything that exists; we will elevate the functions of what exists and enhance quality in Alanya.’ When we decided to manage Alanya with our friends, we knew that Alanya's main sources of income were agriculture and tourism. Considering Alanya tradespeople, hotels, and the number of people employed in hotels, tourism stands slightly above agriculture. In this regard, we prioritized tourism and within this framework, we asked, ‘What are the problems in Alanya? Where is the engine boiling water? Is there a hole in this car's radiator?’ We first researched these issues. I have a small hotel as well, and we are aware of the problems. The fact that ALTAV, which has changed its shape and understanding, organized this meeting is very valuable to us.”
President Özçelik stated, “The issue that causes the most discomfort in Alanya is sewage treatment,” and added, “We will solve this problem around March 2025. Compared to the past, we will be able to swim in much cleaner seas; no one will swim in dirty waters anymore. Moreover, we have made our agreement; during our term, two new sewage treatment plants will be installed in Alanya, sufficient for at least 25 years depending on population growth.”
He pointed out that one of the most frequent questions they receive during overseas visits is about Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport (GZP). He mentioned, “From our friends we visit, we constantly hear questions like, ‘Will it grow? What will happen?’ Last week, we visited TAV GZP Airport Director Ali Özgür Pehlivan. In this meeting, although no agreement has been signed yet, we learned that the terminal building will be expanded in the upcoming period. Our Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Nuri Ersoy, also confirmed that this work is being done.”
President Özçelik criticized some merchants for defrauding tourists with price policies. He said, “One of the most complained-about issues by tourists coming to the city is the price deception by merchants, bluntly put, overcharging. A product that costs 100 Euros is being sold for 1000 Euros by some unscrupulous merchants. When a citizen enters a restaurant and orders a drink, the merchant should have communicated the pricing not at the payment stage, but when the customer walks in. We will establish this discipline in the city. We have started working on this. We will do radical changes in Alanya. We will see this more clearly in three to five years.”
Özçelik expressed their desire to attract as many tourists as possible to Alanya and stated that they would do their utmost in this regard, saying, “We are approaching November; our hotels will start closing in 5-10 days. No one will be left in Alanya from December to February. In March, it will slowly start again. What will we do in the 3-4 months in between? With the sports tourism projects we transfer to you, we will host people going for sports to Kayseri and Burdur and implement transformations in Alanya. We want to change our understanding. If you want something that will call customers and guests on the sides, corners, and in the middle of Alanya, please contact us. Contact ALTAV. We will do everything we can within the legal framework for you. We will not wait for responsibilities by saying, ‘Whatever is our duty,’ but will take responsibility by saying, ‘We will do our best.’ Our only expectation from you is to support us in bringing a couple of extra tourists to Alanya. Request from Alanya Municipality, ALTAV, ALTİD, TÜRSAB, ALTSO; we will do our best.”
Following President Özçelik, Abdurrahman Açıkalın, the Vice President of ALTAV and Mayor's Advisor, stated that they would work to maintain and develop Alanya's image as the capital of sports and athletes gained over the years. He mentioned their goal to introduce Alanya to new sports and suitable grounds for these sports. Açıkalın said, “Our goal is for everyone, young and old, men and women, to engage in sports that interest them in this city, and for these efforts to return to the city as tourism, providing both income and job opportunities. Creating alternative tourism branches alongside sea, sand, and sun tourism always adds value. We will also make changes in the Gökbel Oil Wrestling Championships we will hold in 2025, adding new activities and sports events to promote diversity and encouragement.”
ALTAV Spokesperson Alper Gencelli provided participants with information about the ongoing website and application development within ALTAV. He stated that they aim to digitize ALTAV and are working on a mobile application that will cover Alanya in all aspects, allowing for both promotion and guiding services for visitors. After Gencelli, ALTAV Board Member Gökçe Aydoğan Ergün shared information about ALTAV's ongoing and planned activities. President Özçelik took notes on the questions and requests from tour operators and assured them that necessary actions would be taken. At the end of the meeting, President Osman Tarık Özçelik noted that such meetings would continue and emphasized that they would always listen to the sector and its representatives.
