In Turkey, several scenarios of the development of the tourist season are being considered. It depends on when international air traffic resumes. But the first estimates have already been made and approximate dates have been named.
Turkey, like Russia, took tough measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19: international air traffic was completely stopped, domestic flights were limited, and self-isolation was prescribed for residents and foreigners at major resorts, including Antalya and Bodrum.
Many hotels in March postponed the start of the season to the end of April: there will be no charters with tourists from Russia, Germany and other countries this month.
Another indicator of Turkish tourism is the Turkish Airlines national carrier. The airline postponed the resumption of flights to foreign destinations from April 17 to May 1.
Russian tour operators, operating in the Turkish destination, from March 20 canceled all reservations until the end of April.
According to the Minister of Tourism and Culture of Turkey Mehmet Ersoy, taking into account the current state of affairs, the 2020 season can begin at the end of May. “We hope that tourism will fully resume activities during the Ramadan holiday. Of course, the first movements will begin in domestic tourism,” he said. In 2020, Ramadan begins on April 24 and ends on May 23.
According to Turkish experts, the popular Turkish resorts, if the situation with the coronavirus improves, will nevertheless begin their work in May, and the 5* hotels will do this firstly. Such objects have more financial opportunities to survive the crisis and quickly adapt the service to new realities.
“Hotels are ready to open if there are tourists. And tourists will arrive when air traffic will be restored. It depends on when the governments of Turkey and Russia consider the epidemiological situation as favorable,” says one of the hoteliers.
