We conducted an interview with Levent Bekaroğlu, Business Development Director of KHG Hotels Group in Western Europe, about 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 closed the year by achieving this target with nearly 16.5 million visitors. For 2025, I think we can push it to 5% again. I do not foresee major breakthroughs in our main source markets such as Germany, Russia, England and Poland. An increase of 3-5% may 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 when the war is completely over. However, the vast majority of our tourists from Israel are actually Arab citizens of Israel; the rate of truly Israeli tourists is quite low. The situation is actually similar in Western European countries. For example, some German citizens are originally of Turkish and Russian or former Soviet origin. Or the British are of Indian and Pakistani origin, and the French have a lot of North African guests. In this case, obtaining our statistical data from the address information obtained in hotels, instead of creating it from passport entry information, will give us healthier information. Let me give you an example; According to the data of the German statistical institution, the number of passengers departing from German airports to Antalya in 2023 is around 4 million, while the number of German passengers we count according to our passport entry records is 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 big loss. Suppressing exchange rates causes costs to rise even further. 2. Minimum Wage Problem: A large part of the employees in the sector receive minimum wage or close to minimum wage. This rate is quite high compared to other competing destinations. Better production conditions should be created and qualified personnel should be kept in the sector. 3. International Image: Turkey is generally perceived as a price-performance country that appeals to the middle class and below in Western Europe. Therefore, Antalya especially creates an all-inclusive hotel focus. 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 turn into a structure that emphasizes service quality. However, the general economic problems in the sector limit the speed of this change. Turkey has great potential in tourism, but the existing problems must be solved. A better international perception, a balanced cost structure and competition focused on service instead of price can enable this sector to go much further. Thank you.