Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer, said that the reason for Turkey's inability to reflect its real tourism potential lies in the lack of planning and common sense. Attending the Presidents Session of the 16th TTI Izmir International Tourism Trade Fair and Congress and the 2nd TTI Izmir Outdoor Camping, Caravan, Boat, Outdoor and Equipment Fair, Soyer said, “The state should not be a trader. The government should listen. We are trying to build a common mind and we listen to the industry by gathering together. We try to make decisions together. That's why we're opening Izmir offices abroad," he said.
The 16th TTI İzmir International Tourism Trade Fair and Congress and TTI Outdoor 2nd Camping, Caravan, Boat, Outdoor and Equipment Fair, organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, in cooperation with TÜRSAB Fairs A.Ş and İZFAŞ, opened its doors. “Presidents Session” was also held at the fair, where many colorful events took place. In the session moderated by TÜRSAB Legal Advisor İlker Ülsever; Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer, Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Muhittin Böcek and Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TÜRSAB) Chairman of the Board, Firuz Bağlıkaya, also took part as a speaker.
Explained the tourism action plan
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer In the session, he explained his works for the sector. President giving information about Izmir's tourism action plan Tunç Soyer“We have three main topics. The first is harmony with nature. The second is local and digital. This sözcüA tourism action plan formed within the framework of the What we have is so rich and so powerful. Unfortunately, what we have today and expressed in numbers, compared to what we have, the facts are very weak. We are capable of much more, but we cannot do that. Numbers may be a matter of boasting to someone, I don't think so. "These numbers are not in line with the potentials we have," he said.
“This sector is not just a commercial sector”
Pointing out the importance of spreading tourism over 12 months, Mayor Soyer said, “Otherwise, we are faced with a sector that is stuck with the words sea, sand and sun, and therefore confined to a certain period of time. We have to expand this. For this reason, we can offer much more in this extraordinary Anatolian geography. This industry is not just a commercial industry. Intercultural communication is also an instrument that can be used as it offers peace tourism. There is what we call the 'hospitality' of our ancient culture that has not been destroyed yet," he said.
Unity and togetherness emphasis
Drawing attention to the balance between economy and ecology in his speech, Soyer said: “There is not only a similarity between economy and ecology. Despite ecology, you cannot grow the economy. You can't get anywhere with ecology alone, ignoring the economy. It is necessary to establish a strong bond between these two. We have to increase the power of the local. We have to increase the planning authority. We should use technology much better. We should realize that there are reasons that unite us rather than the reasons that separate us from each other, and we should highlight those reasons. We can move forward in that way by enriching the culture of working together. Therefore, I find the figures given at the moment insufficient. We can do much more. All we have to do is increase solidarity and cooperation.”
“We are trying to build a common mind”
President Soyer stated that the lack of planning and common sense is a deficiency and said, “The state should not be a trader. The government should listen. We are trying to build a common mind and we listen to the industry by gathering together. We try to make decisions together. That's why we are opening Izmir offices abroad. We want to promote İzmir locally," he said.
“There are people who know better than you do”
Stating that the dynamics of the sector are not listened to, Tunç Soyer, said: “You say, 'I know how to plan, I can do it'. There is no such thing in the world. There are people who know better than you do. You have to listen. If this is done, it will turn into a sector that will increase the welfare of the whole nation. We are waiting for the days when the state will become a mother. We want her to be the mother who tenderly embraces all her children, stands at the same distance from all of them, caresses her head, takes care of her, worries about her future, and sheds sweat for her. As long as there is no main, all our sectors will continue to suffer.”
Insufficient support for local governments
Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Muhittin Böcek He also said that 13 million 200 thousand foreign and 10 million 200 thousand domestic tourists visited Antalya this year, according to the figures he just received. Explaining that Antalya is home to 26 million people, as well as local tourists, Muhittin Böcek, criticizing the insufficient support for local governments, said, “We see the problems related to tourism and support for local governments and we are sad. We host 26 million. Including air, water, infrastructure, treatments. And in return, we are trying to serve with the 2 million 618 TL money that comes as the local government.”
“The tourism sector should be above politics”
He stated that tourism will not have a policy. Muhittin Böcek“Tourism is a chimney without a factory. We are responsible for them until the tourist arrives in our city and leaves there. We have our projects. We are working on spreading tourism over 12 months. We are working on health and sports tourism. Nobody can bring the tourism industry into politics. This area should be above politics. We are the mayor of everyone who does not vote. The ministry should do the same. Without discrimination, everyone should be one. It is necessary to establish income-expenditure balances,” he said.
“We are all tired of the merchant ministry image”
TÜRSAB Chairman of the Board of Directors Firuz Bağlıkaya said that domestic tourism is the locomotive of tourism and said, “We know from the examples in the world that the tourism of countries that do not have strong domestic tourism is not very good either. We still have a long way to go. When we look at the number of places to see in our country, it is obvious that we are far behind other countries in the world. You can count 15 regions in France as places for tourists to visit, but there are many places to visit in every city you go to in Turkey. There are flavors. Something in each region definitely stands out. Turkey has a lot to do in domestic tourism. It is necessary to create a number of events that will create a reason for coming to our cities. Europe has 8-10 fairs. It has no features. Why do people go to Frankfurt? For business. But with the 10-12 fair, they catch a very serious capacity and earn serious income. We, on the other hand, collect money from all of us on infrastructure-related issues, organize fairs and sell the stands back to us. We're all tired of the merchant ministry image. This is not a classic state attitude. We need to feel the presence of the state a little bit," he said.
Be the first to comment