Calypso study on social tourism in Turkey

Some general information

The main characteristics of tourism in Turkey

The 4 target groups

Analysis of market trends in Turkey

Visa : a major problem for Turkish citizens

The development of health and medical tourism

Turkey and Calypso program : the feasability of social tourism

Recommandations and expectations

Some general information

Located on the borders of Asia and Europe : Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and Syria 73,7 million inhabitants, or about 1% of world population. The urban population accounts for 75% of the population Social inequalities between the West and the East, and the urban and the rural GDP : more of 7 billion $ in 2010 Unemployment rate in 2011: 11.5%

Tourism in Turkey A huge variety of

destinations: historic sites, archaeological zones, numerous resorts

A deep evolution during the last 20 years based on attracting foreign tourists with a 3's offer: see, sand and sun

Taking into account recent for social and domestic tourism : Ministry’s “Tourism Strategy of Turkey-2023”

Majority of the population can't go on holiday because of a low income level and the difficulty to get visa to visit EU countries

Target groups : characteristics, support

systems, demand drivers

Senior

7% of the whole population

5 million people

1,7 million went on holiday on 2008

85,5 % have never travelled abroad

They have financial difficulties, visa problem, health problems

They want to go in Europe, to have social and cultural events, and need accessible equipment

They are open to go on holiday off-season

Senior

No specific funding systems for senior citizens

Some associations as the Turkey Association of Retired People offer very inexpensive stays in their accommodation facilities

The resort hotels have several special offers during the off-season period : long stay clients, six weeks or more, have a 15% discount. An extra 10% discount can be added to the usual 50% discount during the winter period

Young people

20% of the population

14,5 million people

3,6 million people between 15 and 24 years old went on holiday

Main reasons for non-participation are financial reasons and difficulty to obtain visa for an EU country

They want to go in European countries, to have cultural event and leisure

Young people

No financial support from public authorities but contributions are given by the municipalities or district governments for some accommodation facilities or youth camps (managed by the General Directorate for Youth and Sports)

Specific infrastructures have been created to enable youth's with disability to participate to camp activities

Specific discounts for students visiting museums, monuments, natural and national parks

Specific discounts concerning transportation (Turkish Railways, Turkish Airlines)

Families facing difficult circumstances

11 million people 17% of Turkey population lived

below the poverty level (in 2008)

14,7% of the Turkish families can afford to go on holiday

Main destinations are close to their residence and hometowns

Youth camps are organised for the underprivileged young people between 11 and 16

No specific funding systems for social tourism were identified

Adults with disabilities

8,4 million people (in 2002)

12,29% of the population

Tourism for disabled people is mainly regional tourism

Financial difficulties then accessibility to information and services make domestic tourism and abroad holiday difficult for disabled people

No specific funding systems

Some monthly or quarterly financial supports and some special offers such as : visit of museums, access to national parks, natural parks, nature protection areas and natural monuments are free of charge

Analysis of market trends in Turkey

Tourism industry in Turkey has reported significant growth rate in recent time : 26,3 million of international tourist arrivals in 2008, 22 billion dollar of tourism receipts

Young people : the Ministry of Education's dormitories are open to welcome local and foreign young people, between 18-26 years old during the 15 July to 01 September period

In the last few years, the Turkish Government aims to extend the tourist season for the other months of the years (not only summer period)

Analysis of market trends in turkey

Sustainable tourism aspects : private and public actors are more and more involved in this field. The Turkish Hotels Federation launched an environment-friendly Enterprise Certification (Eco-labelling) called 'The White Flag'.

There is a large involvement of the NGO sector in sustainable tourism with various offers that are more and more promoted by travel agencies

Visa : a major problem for Turkish citizens

Due to this difficulty to get a visa, Turkish citizens can’t take part in a social tourism exchange program

Opportunities exist for the development of concrete products intended to a specific market segment at the European level and for the development of international exchange mechanism

In 2008, most of tourists visiting Turkey are European : Germany (17%), Russia (11%), United Kingdom (8%)

In the European market, Turkey as a positive image as a tourism destination with its beaches, high-quality services and hospitality

Turkey is perceived as an affordable travel destination

The development of health and medical tourism

In the next years, all the accommodation facilities for disabled and elderly people with mobility problems will be developed in news hotels, holiday villages and youth camps

The modernization and the creation of spa resorts, of private clinics near the existing resorts and medical centres in the tourism resorts show the wish of Turkey to attract more disabled tourists

The public and the private sector agree on developing health and medical tourism, and this sector is expected to see a maximum growth (20%)

Turkey and Calypso program : the feasability of social tourism

Public and private actors like to develop domestic and social tourism

They would like to integrate the possible future network that may be created thanks to the Calypso program

The development of social tourism requires an important involvement from the State and more local and European funding for the NGO’s

Calypso program will allow a transfer of good practices between Turkey and European countries already experienced in this field

Recommandations and expectations

RECOMMANDATIONS

Holiday exchange programs among countries for target groups may be developed through cooperation's studies

Social tourism can be developed in a parallel direction to the natural growth of domestic and sustainable tourism

EXPECTATIONS Cooperation of health and tourism sector, particularly for senior tourism will allow Turkey to attract more and more foreign tourists To facilitate the visa applications for the travel groups that will participate to the program is a major condition

Thank you

for your attention