We conducted an interview with Levent Bekaroğlu, Business Development Director of KHG Hotels Group for Western Europe, containing his predictions for the 2025 season. What are your expectations for 2025? What awaits Turkish tourism and your own field? Last year, as Antalya tourism, we predicted a total increase of around 4-5%, and we closed the year meeting this target with nearly 16.5 million visitors. For 2025, I think we can again push for 5%. I do not foresee any major breakthroughs in our main source markets such as Germany, Russia, England, and Poland. An increase of 3-5% can be seen from the German source market, and a higher rate from Russia if the war in Ukraine ends. What could be the impact of the current situation with Israel on tourism? There is a six-week ceasefire process, but I don't think this will have an immediate impact on tourism. A truly positive impact can only be mentioned once the war is completely over. However, the vast majority of our tourists coming from Israel are actually Israeli Arab citizens; the rate of truly Israeli tourists is quite low. A similar situation exists in Western European countries as well. For example, some German citizens are originally of Turkish and Russian or former Soviet descent. Or the English are of Indian and Pakistani descent, and the French have a large number of guests of North African descent. In this case, obtaining our statistical data from the address information obtained at hotels instead of passport entry information may give us healthier information. Let me give you an example: According to the data of the German statistical institution, the number of passengers arriving in Antalya from German airports in 2023 was around 4 million, while the number of German passengers we counted according to our passport entry records was around 3.25 million. What do you think are the biggest problems of the tourism sector and do you have any solutions to these problems? 1. Costs: The biggest problem is cost increases due to exchange rates. Hotels generally make their budgets in Euros, but the increasing difference between inflation and the exchange rate causes a great loss. Suppressing exchange rates leads to further increases in costs. 2. Minimum Wage Problem: A large proportion of employees in the sector receive minimum wage or close to it. This rate is quite high compared to other competing destinations. Better production conditions should be created and qualified personnel should be retained in the sector. 3. International Image: Turkey is generally perceived in Western Europe as a price-performance country appealing to the middle and lower classes. Therefore, especially Antalya creates a focus on all-inclusive hotels. In order to correct this situation, more investment should be made in image studies as well as international promotion activities. Are you hopeful for 2025? 2025 will be challenging due to excessive competition. The tourism sector should move away from the tendency to find customers by cutting prices and move towards a structure that prioritizes service quality. However, the general economic problems in the sector limit the speed of this change. Turkey's potential in tourism is great, but the existing problems must be solved. A better international perception, a balanced cost structure, and competition focused on service instead of price can take this sector much further. Thank you.