Aylin Özsavaş, Chairman of the Board of Istanbul Travel Agencies Promotion and Development Association (İSATAG), made an evaluation of Turkish tourism for 2024. Özsavaş stated that 2024 is a year that reveals both the potential and the challenges faced by Turkish tourism.
Özsavaş stated that the sector draws a promising picture with the increasing number of tourists during the post-pandemic recovery process, and emphasized that economic and structural problems pose serious obstacles to the sector. “High inflation, increasing operating costs and exchange rate pressures make it difficult for tourism businesses to provide a sustainable service. “In addition, visa problems and lack of qualified human resources are among the main problems that limit the effectiveness of tour operators and travel agencies in international markets,” he said.
Özsavaş stated that new projects initiated in thematic areas such as gastronomy, culture, health and nature tourism are promising, but the failure to adequately promote these projects in international markets constitutes an obstacle for the sector to fully realize its potential.
The full text of the statement sent by Aylin Özsavaş, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Istanbul Travel Agencies Promotion and Development Association (İSATAG), to Tourism Newspaper Tourism Diary:
TOURISM SECTOR ASSESSMENT
The year 2024 has been a period in which Turkish tourism clearly revealed both its potential and the challenges it faces. During the post-pandemic recovery process, while the sector painted a promising picture with increasing tourist numbers, it also had to struggle with economic and structural problems. High inflation in Turkey, increasing operating costs and the suppression of the exchange rate have made it difficult for tourism businesses to provide a sustainable service quality.In particular, visa problems and lack of qualified human resources were among the main obstacles that limited the effectiveness of tour operators and travel agencies in international markets. However, the implementation of new projects in thematic areas such as gastronomy, culture, health and nature tourism is a positive development. However, the failure to adequately promote this diversity in international markets resulted in the potential not being fully utilized.
Threats Brought by Over-Tourism and Search for Alternatives
The effects of overtourism,It was among the important issues discussed both in Turkey and especially in the world in 2024. Tourist density exceeding capacity caused the depletion of natural resources in popular destinations, damage to historical heritage and a decrease in the quality of life of local people. While the effects of this situation were felt in Turkey, especially in destinations such as Cappadocia, Antalya and Istanbul, an orientation towards alternative tourism types came to the fore as a solution.
Agro Tourism: The Key to Sustainability and Unique Experiences
agro tourismIn this context, it should be considered as a remarkable alternative. Turkey’s rich agricultural heritage will make agro-tourism a tool that supports rural development and ensures a more balanced spread of tourism. Thematic events such as viticulture experiences in Cappadocia, tea and hazelnut harvest tours in the Black Sea, olive festivals in the Aegean will both support environmental sustainability and offer unique experiences to tourists.
2024: A Milestone in the Transition to Sustainable Tourism
Worldwide, the year 2024 tourism is sustainableIt was a year when efforts to transition to a new model accelerated. Projects to reduce carbon footprint, circular economy practices and green tourism initiatives have become the main elements shaping the future of the sector.
Digitalization and Sustainability: The Quest for Global Balance in Tourism
digitalizationwas used as an important tool to analyze tourist behavior, increase operational efficiency and improve customer experience. However, while this transformation progressed faster in developed countries, developing countries experienced adaptation problems in the field of digitalization and sustainability. In order to reduce the effects of overtourism and place tourism on a more sustainable basis, destination management and the promotion of alternative tourism types have become prominent strategies on a global scale.
2025: A Critical Year for Sustainability and Digitalization in Tourism
The year 2025 appears as a critical year in which the right steps must be taken in this transformation process of tourism.First of all, sustainability and environmentally friendly projects need to be given more priority. Concrete steps should be taken both in Turkey and in the world on issues such as energy efficiency, renewable energy use and waste management. Digital transformation investments should be accelerated and especially small-scale businesses should be integrated into this process. Investments in human resources should be increased; Comprehensive programs should be put into effect to retain qualified workforce in the sector and encourage young people into tourism. In Türkiye’s case, providing visa convenience and restructuring international promotion strategies will be important steps that will increase the country’s competitiveness in tourism.
2025: Time to Transition to Sustainable Policies in Tourism
In 2025, policies focused on short-term gain in tourism and supporting excessive tourism should be abandoned and focused on more sustainable approaches. In order to reduce the density in popular destinations, it is of great importance to focus on the promotion of less-known regions and to encourage alternative tourism types. Tourism policies should not only aim to provide economic gain, but also prioritize contributing to local development and protecting cultural values.
2025: A New Era for Sustainable and Balanced Tourism
In this context, material and moral support for medium-sized travel agencies that bring small but qualified tourist groups and/or organize tours to little-known destinations in domestic tourism will be a critical strategy. This support will both revitalize local economies and ensure a more balanced spread of tourism.
With such an approach, Türkiye can both overcome its own difficulties and reach a strong position in the global tourism market.
2025 should be a year in which the cornerstones of sustainable growth and innovative solutions in the tourism sector are laid.
We hope that this year will be the beginning of a people-oriented transformation process in which tourism supports local development and natural and cultural riches are protected.
Aylin ÖZSAVAŞ
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Istanbul Travel Agencies Promotion and Development Association (ISATAG)
