50% increase expected in tours with "visa exemption for Greek islands"

Evaluating the one-week visa exemption for Greek islands, Celestyal Cruise Turkey Director and Karavan Tourism Director Özgü Alnıtemiz recalled that visa-on-arrival exemptions had been provided for Greek islands in previous years as well.

Alnıtemiz said, "As tourism professionals, we are pleased, but we must also remain cautious. We cannot ignore Germany's contribution to the Greek economy. Germany has significant weight in the Schengen area. We will wait and see," he said.

Stating that the Greek islands are among the destinations most visited by Turks, Alnıtemiz expressed the following:

"From daily visits to cruise tours, it is a serious contribution to the Greek economy. Greece is approaching the issue in terms of attracting the interest of Turkish tourists. For the Turkish tourist, the visa fee creates a burden on international travel. Today, there is a service fee charged by intermediary agencies ranging from 120 euros to 200 euros. The Greek islands visa liberalization will provide significant savings for visitors."

Stating that they had a good season last year despite selling in euros due to price increases in hotels, Alnıtemiz said, "1 million Turks go to the Greek islands every year. Our goal is to be able to take these tourists by ship. The interest of cruise companies in Turkey will also increase. The number of tourists received from the port of call is important. As the number of Turkish passengers increases, cruise companies will be eager to position themselves in Turkey," he said.

Expressing that the decision should be valid not only for this year but also for future years if a strategy is to be created, Alnıtemiz assessed, "I hope a positive decision comes out. We can also bring travelers together with both cruise tours and the Greek islands."

Explaining that the possibility of Turks traveling visa-free in Europe is being discussed, and that if Schengen countries make a decision to support Greece, the decision provided for the Greek islands could be a pilot study, Alnıtemiz said, "The difference between cruises and other international package tours is this: while we are boarding Turkish passengers on the ship, there are foreign passengers inside, and they are also staying. Many foreigners coming to Turkey also prefer your port to go to the Greek islands. It contributes to the economy in every way," he said.

"GREEK ISLAND TOURS DEPARTING FROM TURKEY HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN RECENT YEARS"

Saltur Tourism Board Member İsmail Fırat Çevik stated that as tourism professionals, they welcome the visa exemption to be provided to Turkish tourists on the Greek islands, and said that visa-on-arrival exemptions were provided at certain periods every year before the COVID-19 pandemic, but this practice was ended recently.

Çevik stated that how the newly taken decision will be implemented and whether it will cover specific dates is important.

İsmail Fırat Çevik said, "For travel agencies like us that also sell cruise packages, there will be a serious increase in demand after this decision. Many cruise companies have entered this market in recent years. Greek island tours departing from Turkey have increased significantly in recent years. There are also local companies. I think there may be an increase in demand for island tours with this decision by Greece," he said.

"IT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE REVITALIZATION"

Stating that tours with flights are not very preferred for Greek island tours, Çevik said that individual trips are made via ready-made package cruise tours and ferries.

Çevik made the assessment, "Long-lasting visa procedures have reduced the motivation of those who want to travel and the sales of tourism companies. It is actually too early to say anything yet. This practice on the Greek islands will contribute to the revitalization of tourism. Although the exchange rate is high according to many people, we think that there may be an increase of up to 50% in Greek island tours."

News Source: 12punto