Turkish Travel Market Is Looking Forward To September

[IMG=20589-6374] In Turkey tourism income is decreasing, Reuters reported referring to the local institute of statistics. Thus, in the second quarter of 2006 the income from tourism in the country decreased by 1,8% comparing to the same period of 2005. As a result the country received $67,7 million less considering the total tourism income in April – June 2006 $3,761 billion. Meanwhile in the first quarter of 2006 Turkey experienced lower decrease rates – only 0,4%. Among the reasons for the drop in demand the following factors are pointed out: bird flu, ‘caricature scandal’, negative information about Kurdish threat. According to analytics of the travel market, the tougher competition of Spain, Greece and other Mediterranean countries also added to the sales slowdown. Russian tour operators confirmed the information. Thus, Gennady Kosarev, General Director of Fresh Travel, believes that financial crisis of Russian people might affect the demand: ‘at the moment many people take on credits. Moreover, Turkey offers nothing new. Everybody can predict their holidays – people know what to expect’. However, travel market experts point out it is too early to consider the season to be a failure for Turkey. Gennady Kosarev said last year there were active bookings for August, September and the first half of October that might repeat in 2006. Anna Podgornaya, top manager of Pegas Touristik, agreed: ‘sales of tours to Turkey are prolonged in time. Before peak of sales was in August, while now we have peak bookings for September’. Meanwhile, Turkish travel market players feel optimistic towards the country’s performance in 2006 - $20 billion tourism income is forecasted.