In 2007
TOURISM TRENDS...
(Publication Date: January 8, 2007)
While following news from around the world on a well-known news website, I came across a story that particularly caught my interest!
The story
said that research commissioned by some organizations around the world had found that “exotic countries” would be among holidaymakers’ favorite destinations in 2007.
The same
story also said that the 10 main tourism trends for 2007 had been identified.
***
Tomorrow in Çatalköy, a meeting in the form of a forum will be held to inform industry representatives about developments in the tourism sector in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, discuss general problems, and seek solutions.
I am sure those
attending tomorrow’s meeting know about the 10 main tourism trends for 2007 that I mentioned in the opening of my column; but I thought it appropriate to devote today’s column to sharing and commenting on some of the findings of this research, both to inform you, my valued readers, about the subject and because some of those attending the meeting may have missed this story.
The research notes that gay and lesbian tourists, who spend freely on vacation, will continue to whet the appetite of all those in the tourism industry in 2007, and points out that retirees who have finished their working lives but prefer active vacations will be going on plenty of holidays.
Events are being organized all
over the world for gay and lesbian tourists who don’t count their money. I am sure this subject will also be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting.
Research indicates that holidaymakers are showing increasing interest in environmentally friendly tours. Environmentally conscious consumers, guided by the idea, “Why not protect the world while on vacation?”, stay away from activities that could harm the environment. In this context, facilities that protect the environment are expected to be in demand in 2007.
We have an Environment
Ministry that knows CMC is the greatest disaster for the Mediterranean, but (as far as we know) still has done nothing about it. We should stop boasting about our “natural beauties,” which we pollute more with each passing day, and think about how to protect them! Also, with it already abundantly clear that the star of environmentally conscious ecotourism will shine this year and, by all appearances, in the coming years, are there any such facilities or investments in our country?
The research notes that the concept of the “Laptop Tourist” is becoming widespread: since these tourists can get online anywhere in the world, they can carry on with their work while enjoying a vacation as they please. It says that in 2007, too, laptop-carrying tourists working from a “home office” will be drawn to “hotel office” tourism.
Given that, because of infrastructure problems, our internet connections still have speeds of 33/52 k via “modem,” the following question comes to mind: What does the concept of a “Laptop Tourist” mean?
The research found that a significant proportion of airlines have stopped issuing paper tickets and started selling e-tickets. In addition to this development, the opening of low-cost airports—the first in France and the second in Malaysia—is expected to make air travel even cheaper. Meanwhile, it is said that mobile phones may also be used on some planes in 2007.
The questions that come to mind
are piling up... How many of the airlines operating in our country sell e-tickets? What does a low-cost airport mean? Can mobile phones really be used on planes? The plane will crash!
*
I hope that at the tourism meeting, which will take the form of a forum and be held in the shadow of the recent discussions about the “Lokmacı Barricade,” this research on tourism worldwide will also be brought up, so that more tourists may come to our country. And may our country’s tourism reach world standards...
For years we have heard
that tourists don’t come because of the embargoes, and so on.
Please, let’s stop
hiding behind the embargoes now.
Look at Near East University: when it did its work properly and in line with world standards, did the embargo, etc., become an obstacle to its growth?
We have other examples, too!
Also, let’s all stop
playing politics all the time.
Because it does nothing
but create empty noise, while our more important problems are left in the shadow of political debates.
Let’s do our jobs well
and meet world standards...
The rest will follow...
See you on Wednesday... Be respectful in traffic!
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