Companies in Turkey’s southern tourist gem comes under heavy pressure as woes mount over the consequences of Russia invasion of Ukraine.
Antalya is a favorite holiday place for millions of Russians and Ukrainians each year and is known as one of the key exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The conflict is likely to harm Turkey’s economy given the son deep energy, defense and trade reports with both countrieswhile both markets are crucial sources of tourism.
Bookings stagnated and sales and exports slowed downaccording to industry officials, with hundreds of trucks returning after going halfway or stuck at borders, cloud the outlook for the coming months.
Exporters would have switched their products to the local market market, in a move which would have led to lower prices on the wholesale markets, a business daily report Thursday.
Direct sales to Ukraine have been discontinued, with partial deliveries being made over Belarus, while exports to Russia continue, the president of the Association of Western Mediterranean Exporters (BAIB), Ümit Mirza Çavuşoğlu, told Dünya daily.
“We are waiting for the war between the two countries finish and for peace to be achieved as soon like possible. We are going to have a lot of worry in days to come,” Çavuşoğlu said.
“Manufacturers and exporters are in big worry. Exports to Ukraine have stopped, while we are deeply in red when it comes to Russia.
Ulkay Atmaca, head of the Professional Hotel Managers Association (POYD), pointed to a significant drop in first bookings from Russia.
“We are closely following the negotiations between the two countries. Tourism loves peace… These two countries are among our best tourism markets,” Atmaca told Dünya.
Some 4.7 millions of Russians and 2.1 millions Ukrainians arrived in Turkey last yearaccording to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
They counted for 27.34% of the total 24.7 millions foreign tourists arriving through the year. the share jumped 24.55% in 2020 and 19% in 2019.
