Türkiye is no longer perceived only as a beach destination

Brief retelling from RIA II

Türkiye is no longer perceived by tourists only as a beach destination; travelers are increasingly choosing different resorts and holiday formats.

Antalya and Belek remain in demand among tourists focused on a classic beach holiday, while Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye attract those looking for a combination of sea with nature, gastronomy, yachting, excursions and individual itineraries.

The Turkish tourism market is becoming increasingly focused on developing different types of holidays to meet the varied expectations of tourists.

ANKARA, September 23 - RIA Novosti. Turkey is gradually ceasing to be perceived by tourists only as a beach destination; travelers are increasingly choosing different resorts and holiday formats depending on their expectations and budget, and the industry must respond to this request, Bekir Dolmuş, a travel agent in Bodrum, told RIA Novosti.

“Today a tourist chooses not just Turkey, but a specific holiday scenario - the sea, nature, gastronomy, active or health tourism,” he said.

The change in demand, the travel agent noted, is reflected in the choice of a particular resort.

“Antalya and Belek remain in demand among tourists focused on classic beach holidays, developed hotel infrastructure and family trips. At the same time, Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye attract those who are looking for a different format - a combination of the sea with nature, gastronomy, yachting, excursions and individual routes,” he said.

According to Dolmush, the country's largest resorts offer tourists different scenarios, so the choice "is less and less reduced only to the price of the hotel."

“A traveler evaluates a trip as a single product, taking into account the cost of flights, accommodation, food, transportation and additional entertainment. With the same price of accommodation, a tourist can choose another region if he receives a more suitable set of services and experiences there. Today, a tourist compares not only the cost of the room. He looks at what he will receive for the entire vacation and how well the chosen destination meets his expectations,” noted the travel agent.

That is why, Dolmuş believes, it is becoming important for the Turkish tourism market to develop different types of recreation, rather than focusing exclusively on the beach season.

“The more holiday scenarios a country offers, the less tourists are tied to one season or one resort,” he emphasized.

The travel agent specifically noted Russian tourists, who traditionally make up a significant part of the tourist flow to Turkey. According to him, along with the usual beach holidays, Russians are becoming interested in excursions, nature routes, gastronomy and wellness programs.

“For a Russian tourist, Turkey can no longer be only a sea and a hotel. He can spend one trip on the coast, and the next time choose a completely different region and get a different experience,” he said.