Alanya is losing Germans! Whoever packs their suitcase, leaves

Alanya Is Losing German Tourists!

Although Germany has remained one of Alanya’s main source markets, a noticeable decline is now being observed. Price increases in Turkey are directing German tourists to other destinations.

While holiday demand from Germany to Turkey has seen significant growth over the past five years, this year there is a major downturn, according to Roland Gassner, Business Development Director at TDA. Speaking at the “Experience Bulgaria” event, Gassner noted a clear drop in demand for the Turkish market, attributing it to rising prices and economic conditions.

DEMAND IS DROPPING

Gassner stated that there has been an approximately 5% drop in package tour bookings to Turkey compared to last season. The main cause, he said, is the steep price hikes driven by Turkey’s nearly 40% inflation. "Turkey was one of the most popular destinations in the German market last year, but this year's price pressure has negatively impacted demand," he said.

LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVES

The decline in demand for Turkey is being balanced by tourists turning to other Mediterranean destinations, primarily Greece and Spain. Particularly popular areas like Mallorca in Spain and attractive regions in Greece have stood out among German tourists due to their favorable price-performance ratio.

Gassner also noted that between January and May, there was a 4% increase in revenue from package tours in Germany, though the number of bookings remained mostly stable. This indicates that price hikes are the driving factor. “The number of tourists has stayed the same, but spending per person has increased,” he said.

INTEREST HAS WANED

Post-pandemic, German tourists' travel habits have changed significantly. Interest in "last-minute" deals has diminished. "Early bookings are now preferred. Tourists are planning and organizing their trips more carefully," Gassner explained. This shift is forcing industry players to develop new strategies.

In addition to short-haul Mediterranean destinations, long-haul destinations like the U.S. have seen a drop of up to 30% due to high travel costs. However, there is a growing interest in alternative long-haul destinations like the Caribbean, Africa, and the Far East.

Gassner emphasized that Turkey is losing its market share in Germany due to inflation and price pressures, stating, “It is essential to compete with alternative destinations through competitive pricing and attractive packages,” and highlighted the importance of stability and customer confidence in the tourism sector.

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS SHARED

Gassner also shared key insights about markets outside Germany:

Switzerland and Austria: Demand for Turkey is relatively stable, but price sensitivity is high.

Russia: Fluctuations due to economic conditions and travel restrictions.

USA: High long-haul travel costs have caused demand for European destinations to drop by nearly 30%. Interest in the Caribbean, Africa, and the Far East is on the rise.

Scandinavian countries: Package tour sales quickly recovered post-pandemic, with early booking trends growing stronger.

— News Desk