We conducted an enjoyable interview with experienced tourism professional Seyfi İmamoğlu about the tourism sector."I am a retired tourism professional, but I continue to attend all sector meetings. Retirement has become a bit of an outdated term; my interest in the sector still continues," said İmamoğlu, explaining his dedication to tourism, and added, "I am currently working as an independent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 issues 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 within the domestic market, except for hotels, are made in Turkish Lira. This imbalance causes agencies to have difficulty covering personnel salaries and other expenses.One of the major problems is the stability of tour operators. It seems like one tour operator goes bankrupt every year. This means that one of the main arteries that feeds 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 sustain this process with the current financial structures.On the other hand, the very rapid increase in prices is also a major problem. Guests' incomes cannot keep up with the pace of 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 achieving a better balance of prices and prioritizing guest satisfaction. It is particularly critical to avoid losing our repeat guests.What awaits Turkish tourism in 2025?Tourism professionals generally have positive expectations, 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. The loss of the Israeli market, especially in winter tourism, is also a major problem. I don't think the recent ceasefire between Israel and Palestine will have a positive effect on this situation. It is very important to stay away from political statements in tourism.Also, Turkey is no longer a "cheap destination". In this case, guests looking for affordable holidays are choosing different countries. Hotels need to carefully plan their price increases, otherwise they may lose their returning guests.What will be the impact of the peace process between Israel and Palestine on Turkish tourism?I don't think this situation will have a positive reflection on Turkish tourism. In our country, statements against Israel are generally intense. This creates a negative perception for potential guests abroad. It is especially important to be very careful about the words that come out of your mouth in tourism.One of the biggest problems in tourism is the uncontrolled increase in costs. In addition, the competition brought to the sector by new destinations cannot be ignored. Turkey needs to take more careful steps to avoid losing its repeat guests in tourism. Providing quality service and keeping the price policy balanced is the biggest key.
We conducted an enjoyable interview with experienced tourism professional Seyfi İmamoğlu about the tourism sector.
"I am a retired tourism professional, but I continue to attend all sector meetings. Retirement has become a bit of an outdated term; my interest in the sector still continues," said İmamoğlu, explaining his dedication to tourism, and added, "I am currently 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 issues 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 within the domestic market, except for hotels, are made in Turkish Lira. This imbalance causes agencies to have difficulty covering personnel salaries and other expenses.
One of the major problems is the stability of tour operators. It seems like one tour operator goes bankrupt every year. This means that one of the main arteries that feeds 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 sustain this process with the current financial structures.
On the other hand, the very rapid increase in prices is also a major problem. Guests' incomes cannot keep up with the pace of 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 achieving a better balance of prices and prioritizing guest satisfaction. It is particularly critical to avoid losing our repeat guests.
What awaits Turkish tourism in 2025?
Tourism professionals generally have positive expectations, 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. The loss of the Israeli market, especially in winter tourism, is also a major problem. I don't think the recent ceasefire between Israel and Palestine will have a positive effect on this situation. It is very important to stay away from political statements in tourism.
Also, Turkey is no longer a "cheap destination". In this case, guests looking for affordable holidays are choosing different countries. Hotels need to carefully plan their price increases, otherwise they may lose their returning guests.
What will be the impact of the peace process between Israel and Palestine on Turkish tourism?
I don't think this situation will have a positive reflection on Turkish tourism. In our country, statements against Israel are generally intense. This creates a negative perception for potential guests abroad. It is especially important to be very careful about the words that come out of your mouth in tourism.
One of the biggest problems in tourism is the uncontrolled increase in costs. In addition, the competition brought to the sector by new destinations cannot be ignored. Turkey needs to take more careful steps to avoid losing its repeat guests in tourism. Providing quality service and keeping the price policy balanced is the biggest key.
