11/08/2019 16:14

Turkey: SOS

On September 12th in the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation the round table ‘Russia – Turkey: mutual understanding, positive image’ was held. At the meeting representatives of travel industry, mass media, social and governmental organizations discussed the problem of drop in demand for Turkey in 2006. No new versions for a sales slowdown were mentioned. The majority of the participants agreed that there is no any intended anti-Turkey propaganda in Russia. However, negative publications and TV programs such as Holiday: Come Back Alive added to the current situation. Meanwhile, among the main reasons for drop in demand for Turkey travel market experts pointed out concatenation of circumstances and unfavorable situation in the country, in particular, lower level of services provided. Thus, Babush Sedzhir from Detour, stated: ‘Russian tourists ‘discovered’ such alternative destinations as Egypt, the UAE, Tunisia, Morocco – countries that are happy to welcome our clients and try to provide high-quality services’. Furthermore, the participants of the meeting emphasized not good enough work of the Turkish Ministry of Tourism. For example, in order to minimize negative effect from publications it is necessary to either organize a massive advertising campaign or organize interviews of a country’s travel industry representatives with journalists. ‘But the Turkish Embassy work awfully with mass media’, commented Maxim Yusin, Editor of the International Department of Izvestia. Alexander Shumilin, Head of Center of Analysis of Middle East Conflicts, Chief Editor of Mideast.ru, added: ‘comparing to Turkey Egypt hardly has fewer negative factors: constant road accidents, explosions. But every time anything happens in Egypt they immediately react – increase advertising activity, reduce accommodation rates, while Turkey does not take such measures’. At the meeting the organizers suggested that the Social Council of Mutual Assistance should be established. The Council is planned to be aimed at analysis of mistakes, expectations of Russian tourists and providing Turkish tourism authorities with the data received. However, travel industry representatives feel skeptical towards the initiative. ‘It is a good idea. But the support of tour operators only will not be enough. Such an organization should be created on the more serious background’, explained Tatiana Mostibrodskaya, General Director of Gotur.