The coronavirus epidemic, which caused great losses in the economy, also affected tourism. The tourism sector, which is shown as the primary reason for the spread of the epidemic to the world, is thought to cause heavy losses with the approach of the summer season. In 2019, Turkey broke the all-time record in the field of tourism, tourism and business owners worried.
The coronavirus epidemic brought almost every sector economically to the brink of a major crisis. The tourism sector, known as the smokeless industry, also got its share from the pandemic. With the arrival of the summer season, major losses are expected in the tourism sector, which is the first factor in the spread of coronavirus to the world. In our country, which has a great potential from holiday tourism to cultural tourism, from nature tourism to health tourism, the coronavirus outbreak worries tourism and company owners. Tourism 51 million visitors in 2019 and broke the all-time box office record of $ 34 billion in Turkey in 2020, is expected to give a big loss in this area.
Stating that there will be a radical change in tourism, Largin Hotels Group Chairman Sezgin Demirlek said, “After the record breaking in tourism in 2019, there were major investments in the sector. However, many of these investments are now either stopped or returned as losses. There are several predictions about ending the coronavirus outbreak, but the virus vaccine must be found for the full recovery of tourism. On the other hand, very serious decisions are taken regarding the tourism sector. Hygiene rules were already very good. Serious efforts will now begin to increase controls. For example, it is now being discussed to prevent the application of open buffet”.
“ALL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS CANCELED”
Tourism worker Bilal Demir explained how the coronavirus epidemic affected the tourism sector and said, “The virus epidemic brought the tourism sector to a halt before all sectors. Even the spread of virus news put the industry in crisis. Internal market reaction occurred with the arrival of the virus in Turkey. In the virus epidemic, people first canceled their holiday programs. Although there are no new sales, all holiday programs have been canceled regardless of recent or remote dates. This situation was very tiring for tour operators financially.”
Stating that all tourism companies are on the brink of bankruptcy, Bilal Demir said, "The issue of reimbursement of reservations made to hotels has been brought to the agenda. For this reason, companies paid both to the facility and returned to the guests. Financially, most firms have had too much difficulty. As a result of checks, investments made, reservations received due to the virus, the sector stopped completely. Agency system collapsed completely. "The fact that the cash flow in the sector is very high and this cash flow decreases to zero suddenly brought many companies to the point of sinking."
“SUPPORTS TO BE GIVEN MUST BE EQUITABLE”
Stating that serious assistance should be provided to the tourism sector, Sezgin Demirlek said, “We know that the government is currently working to support the tourism sector. However, support should be provided regardless of big or small tradesmen depending on tourism. If the tourism industry wants to survive, the supports to be provided must be fair. Because I don't see the 2020 season as very pleasant. The service sector is already tied to the cotton thread. We can be affected by the slightest negativity. Now, such a serious epidemic process will severely distress every tourist and every tourism company.”