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Didim
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What’s in store for Altinkum
in summer 2009?
It is the question on every one lips. Will the world economic crisis have
a knock on effect for Tourism in the area? The answer it seems is yes
however further conversations with locals and tourism workers in the resort
reveals people are delighted as they think the knock on effect will be a good
one. Restaurants that have been closed in the winter, are painting,
re-decorating and preparing advertisements. Their workers are starting to come
in from the surrounding villages where they spent their lazy winter recovering
from the hectic season of summer 2008.
“We heard prices of flight tickets are coming down” says Mehmet who works in
one of the beachfront restaurants. “Easy jet has started flying into Turkey,
and my repeat customers tell me about the bargains they are finding from British
airways, Turkish airlines and Pegasus. We think the airline companies had to
drop their prices as they went so high last year. The marina will also
open, and last year we had a few small cruise ships dock in so hopefully they
will come back again”.
Debra, a local estate agent with Turkishsweethomes and associated with the
Turkey Herald, is also eager to start the season.
“Now is not the time to sell your property in Turkey, however it is definitely
the time to buy. The economic crisis has had a knock on effect and builders are
now willing to barter on prices. Customers can find some excellent bargains if
they shop around. There are also some companies here in Turkey that will offer
finance to foreigners, the mortgage side of banking here is not in as much
distress as the UK due to the system only been introduced in the last two
years”
I also caught up with two holiday reps working for First Choice/Tui. Linda
Forbes has been working in the Tourism industry for 16 years and Judith Whyley
has also seen some changes over the 13 years she has been giving first class
service to tourists.
“We know there will be a lot of first time visitors to Altinkum because the
Euro is not competing well against the pound. A lot of people who normally go to
Spain will come and experience the delight of Turkey”. Normally Judith and
Linda recognise their customers year after year due to the repeat visitors that
Altinkum attracts. “People fall in love with the area, it is so relaxed and
there is something for everyone. There are 3 excellent 5 star hotels in resort,
and a lot of our other hotels and self catering apartments have been decorated
over the winter. We see standards every year here in Altinkum improving, there
will be some training for us before the season starts but we are really looking
forward to the first arrivals in May”
So it seems, the doom and gloom of the economic crisis has not bought the mood
of the resort down, instead having the opposite effect. Life carries on as
normal you might say however there seems to be a buzz in the air. Altinkum is
improving all the time and has a knack of supplying to the demands. Bring on
summer 2009 definitely has to be the motto at the moment.
Article written by Natalie
Sayin of Turkishsweethomes
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