Sharks emerge for the elections: why the Turkish tourism industry is afraid for itself

The statements of Kemal Kılıçdaroglu, the head of the opposition to the current Turkish president, against Russia have become scandalous due to large-scale citations in the American press. When the thunder had already struck, representatives of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the tourism industry and the party headed by the alternative candidate were quick to assure that he meant “not quite right” or even “not quite right”. But in some Turkish travel agencies working with the Russian Federation, they are sure that there is no smoke without fire and that such a statement does not bode well for their business in any case.

“Even if Kılıçdaroğlu does not become president, he still voiced a topic that is constantly pedaled in one way or another,” says a Russian-speaking representative of a travel agency in Antalya. “Of course, the borders won’t be closed right away and flights won’t be banned. But the eastern version, when everything is the same, but with a kind smile, is quite possible.

– How is that?

– No one has officially canceled anything, but there are interruptions in air traffic, banks servicing Russian cards went on vacation, “Russian” hotels closed for repairs … You know, how it happens in a boring relationship: you can leave your annoying partner, or you can start to lead himself so that he leaves.

– Are you bored with a partner who brings you money ?!

– Yes, the fact of the matter is that, of course, he is still nice to the tourism industry. And she is very afraid of being left without his money. He is so afraid that many are urgently lowering prices in order to have time to accept more Russians before it starts. But dumping, as you understand, is not good for the industry. If one hotel drastically lowered prices, then others will have to, otherwise they will become uncompetitive. And everything collapses like a house of cards.

In the light of the above, the problems with flights from Moscow to Antalya and back all past weekends no longer seem like an unfortunate accident. As well as unpretentious consolations from the domestic tourism industry, that “in Georgia it is the same, and even better.” And also the undisguised joy of the Egyptian press, that, they say, Turkey has almost recaptured a Russian tourist from them, despite the earthquake, they would have to lower prices just about, but justice has triumphed.

“We have no reason to grieve yet,” they assure in the capital’s travel agency. – Recently, Turkey has only raised prices, which, in general, is now good for the popularization of Georgia, if flights are opened there. And now a number of our Turkish counterparties have begun to sharply dump. And that’s good too. Someone will have time to relax inexpensively in May-June, and then we do not look. Now everything is unstable with all counterparties, not only with Turkey.

Indeed, as many as 16 large all-inclusive hotels, popular with Russians, at the beginning of the holiday season, took and significantly reduced prices, which is unprecedented for the Turkish Riviera. According to the host, this move caused the desired increase in demand from the Russians. Although in general, according to the Turkish tourism industry, lately either they have had no luck with the Russians, or the Russians with them.

“Some hoteliers even believe that they were jinxed,” they share in a Turkish travel agency on condition of anonymity. – Especially the province of Antalya is unlucky. They have in the Alanya region only since the beginning of May, three Russians have died right in the hotel for unknown reasons. Or a heart, or something else. But they arrived healthy and cheerful, but on vacation they fell and died.

– So, probably, as usual, drunk in the sun overheated!

– The fact of the matter is that among the dead there was no one intoxicated or hungover, all three were healthy, led a normal life. Of the three, two men are under 50 years old, and a woman is in her 60s, none of them abused anything. And the worst thing is that our newspapers are ringing about these mysterious deaths with the names of hotels and with pictures of the bodies found in the rooms. Of course, such horror turns guests away from the hotel.

In addition to the misfortunes that have fallen on the resort province of Antalya, last weekend something completely unbelievable happened for the Turkish Riviera: a large shark, one of those that do not needlessly rise from the usual depth of 200 meters, suddenly not only swam to the surface, but also attacked a boat with local fishermen, gobbled up all their catch and gnawed on the outboard motor. The bravest of the fishermen managed to shoot a video and put it on the social network.

“They say that the fishermen fought off the predator for three hours, feeding her their catch,” they say in the Konyaalti travel agency, where the incident occurred. – Fortunately, the fishermen are alive, and the shark allegedly was satisfied with their fish. I don’t know if this happens, but I know for sure that this is very bad for the tourist reputation of Konyaalti beaches.

“Sharks of this breed float to the surface of the water only from excessive heat, hunger or pain,” ichthyologist Andrey Barinov comments on the incident. “There is no excessive heat in that area now, and predators of this species usually feed themselves on their own. Maybe the shark surfaced from pain? ..

– Or from the elections – ironically in a local travel agency. – I didn’t eat anyone – it’s already good.

Meanwhile, Turkish hotels popular with Russians continue to reduce prices by up to 20%, their names are printed daily by the Turkish press. And then there were tours for 10 days with a departure in mid-June at prices that we have almost forgotten – for only 130 thousand rubles. for two. So there is no bad without good.