Turkey Must Cap Costs to Remain Cheap Holiday Favourite
Turkish holidays could be threatened if local businesses around resorts continue to hike prices for visiting tourists.
The Co-operative Travel sent an open letter to the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office warning that if price increases continued, British tourists would soon become disenfranchised with Turkey as a cheap holiday spot.
Mike Greenacre, The Co-operative Travel’s managing director cited the Cypriots as an example of a people who historically have suffered as a result of greed: “Take Cyprus, which, on more than one occasion, has seen strong occupancy deflated in the following season because prices were raised disproportionately. The country then saw bookings fall dramatically.”
Turkey has been enjoying a travel boom, particularly in family holidays as Brits seek out the cheapest summer breaks abroad. The country could be on the verge of a tipping point however.
Currently Turkey is about to reach the apex of popularity. Dalaman recently leapfrogged ahead of Majorca holidays as the top summer destination to visit in 2010. More Brits have booked a holiday to Turkey this year than to the Balearic Islands.
The country risks throwing away its deserved reputation as a budget holiday haven though if price increases continue at local outlets. A recent Post Office survey found that the average basket of staple commodities (including a bottle of suncream and a beer) had increased by 44 per cent.
“Right now we would caution against dramatic price increases and ask businesses in Turkey to be sensible about pricing for the coming season,” concluded Mr Greenacre in his letter.
City Break Destinations News posted by Alicia Cruise on 02 February 2010
