The soaring inflation in Turkey makes an already cheap tourist country even cheaper.
The country has now become one of the most popular destinations for charter Swedes.
The Turkish lira has lost more than 30 percent of its value against the Swedish krona in the past three months. A major reason for the decline is the interest rate cuts that the central bank has implemented this year. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, among other things, that he wants to protect the population from high interest rates, and has also fired several central bank governors.
The fact that the lira has become weaker is noticeable in Swedish charter bookings.
”"Travel bookings to Turkey are going much better compared to most other destinations," says Michael Kapin, sales manager at the travel agency Ticket, which sells trips from most major travel companies.
The country has gone from being the 13th most booked holiday destination in 2019 to being the seventh most booked right now, according to statistics from Ticket. There could be several explanations.
”"Turkey is one of the few countries outside the EU that you are allowed to travel to in the current situation. And proof that you do not have Covid-19 is enough to enter the country," says Kapin.
But price is another important factor behind the increased interest. Both Ticket and the charter companies confirm that Turkish inflation has made travel cheaper. In addition, it is cheaper for tourists once they are there.
”Generally speaking, Turkey's value for money has strengthened compared to other Mediterranean destinations due to the fall of the Turkish lira against, among other things, the Swedish krona,” says Claes Pellvik, Head of Communications at Ving.
”Travel is cheaper this summer than before.”
Another explanation is that Turkey needs its tourists.
”Prices have never been as low as they are now, and you get more for your money this year than you did in 2019. This is because hotels and airlines are eager to get bookings for 2022,” says Stefan Chatzopoulos, head of information at tour operator Airtours.
Source: TT
