We had a pleasant interview with Seyfi İmamoğlu, an experienced tourism professional, about the tourism sector."I am a retired tourism professional, but I continue to attend all the meetings of the sector. Retirement has become a bit of an old definition; my interest in the sector still continues," İmamoğlu said, explaining his commitment to tourism, "Currently, I am working as an independent audit committee member and consultant at Gezinomi Travel Agency."What do you see as the biggest problem in the sector and what is the solution?There are two major problems that stand out in the sector these days: exchange rate fluctuations and personnel employment. My perspective is more focused on the agency side.Tour operators are under serious financial pressure. Revenues come in foreign currency, but payments in the domestic market, except for hotels, are made in TL. This imbalance makes it difficult for agencies to cover personnel salaries and other expenses.One of the major problems is the stability of tour operators. It seems like a tour operator goes bankrupt every year. This means that one of the main arteries that feeds the hotels and the sector in general is drying up. Hotels depend on these structures that bring in 17-18 million guests. However, it is difficult to maintain this process with the current financial structures.On the other hand, the rapid increase in prices is also a big problem. Guests' incomes cannot keep up with the speed of the price increases. In this case, people are shifting to cheaper destinations. New destinations such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt have become serious competitors in the sector.The solution lies in providing a better balance of prices and prioritizing guest satisfaction. It is critical not to lose our repeat guests in particular.What awaits Turkish tourism in 2025?Tourism professionals' expectations are generally positive, but I often consider the pessimistic side as well.I do not expect an increase in numbers in 2025. There is a high risk of losing some markets. For example, the Ukrainian market has already disappeared. Russia has increased, but this is not enough. Especially in winter tourism, the loss of the Israeli market is a major problem. I don't think the recent ceasefire between Israel and Palestine will have a positive impact on this situation. It is very important to stay away from political discourse in tourism.In addition, Turkey is no longer a "cheap destination". In this case, guests looking for affordable holidays prefer different countries. Hotels need to carefully plan their price increases, otherwise they may lose their repeat guests.What will be the impact of the peace process between Israel and Palestine on Turkish tourism?I do not think this situation will have a positive reflection on Turkish tourism. In our country, there are generally intense discourses against Israel. This creates a negative perception for potential guests abroad. Especially in tourism, you need to be very careful about the words that come out of your mouth.One of the biggest problems in tourism is the uncontrolled increase in costs. However, the competition brought to the sector by new destinations cannot be ignored. Turkey needs to take more careful steps in order not to lose its repeat guests in tourism. Providing quality service and keeping the price policy in balance is the biggest key.
We had a pleasant interview with Seyfi İmamoğlu, an experienced tourism professional, about the tourism sector.
"I am a retired tourism professional, but I continue to attend all the meetings of the sector. Retirement has become a bit of an old definition; my interest in the sector still continues," İmamoğlu said, explaining his commitment to tourism, "Currently, I am working as an independent audit committee member and consultant at Gezinomi Travel Agency."
What do you see as the biggest problem in the sector and what is the solution?
There are two major problems that stand out in the sector these days: exchange rate fluctuations and personnel employment. My perspective is more focused on the agency side.
Tour operators are under serious financial pressure. Revenues come in foreign currency, but payments in the domestic market, except for hotels, are made in TL. This imbalance makes it difficult for agencies to cover personnel salaries and other expenses.
One of the major problems is the stability of tour operators. It seems like a tour operator goes bankrupt every year. This means that one of the main arteries that feeds the hotels and the sector in general is drying up. Hotels depend on these structures that bring in 17-18 million guests. However, it is difficult to maintain this process with the current financial structures.
On the other hand, the rapid increase in prices is also a big problem. Guests' incomes cannot keep up with the speed of the price increases. In this case, people are shifting to cheaper destinations. New destinations such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt have become serious competitors in the sector.
The solution lies in providing a better balance of prices and prioritizing guest satisfaction. It is critical not to lose our repeat guests in particular.
What awaits Turkish tourism in 2025?
Tourism professionals' expectations are generally positive, but I often consider the pessimistic side as well.
I do not expect an increase in numbers in 2025. There is a high risk of losing some markets. For example, the Ukrainian market has already disappeared. Russia has increased, but this is not enough. Especially in winter tourism, the loss of the Israeli market is a major problem. I don't think the recent ceasefire between Israel and Palestine will have a positive impact on this situation. It is very important to stay away from political discourse in tourism.
In addition, Turkey is no longer a "cheap destination". In this case, guests looking for affordable holidays prefer different countries. Hotels need to carefully plan their price increases, otherwise they may lose their repeat guests.
What will be the impact of the peace process between Israel and Palestine on Turkish tourism?
I do not think this situation will have a positive reflection on Turkish tourism. In our country, there are generally intense discourses against Israel. This creates a negative perception for potential guests abroad. Especially in tourism, you need to be very careful about the words that come out of your mouth.
One of the biggest problems in tourism is the uncontrolled increase in costs. However, the competition brought to the sector by new destinations cannot be ignored. Turkey needs to take more careful steps in order not to lose its repeat guests in tourism. Providing quality service and keeping the price policy in balance is the biggest key.
