The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, which began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, quickly affected the entire world, causing a serious crisis. Although the pandemic arrived late in our country, it continues to have serious economic repercussions in Turkey, as it does in other leading countries. Taner Gündoğan, a member of the MÜSİAD New Tourism Resources Development Committee, made important statements about the state and future of the tourism sector.

The tourism sector has undergone significant development, especially since the 1980s. During periods when the Turkish economy was struggling with foreign currency needs, the tourism sector provided a lifeline for the Turkish economy by providing foreign currency inflows. Recent investments in the tourism sector, in particular, have seen significant momentum in terms of the number of foreign tourists, tourism revenue generated, tourism spending rates, the share of tourism in GDP, its impact on national income, its share in foreign trade (import-export), facility development rates, and its contribution to employment. Turkey quickly reaped the rewards of these investments, rising to 6th place in the world in the tourism sector and becoming a leading player in the sector.

The coronavirus outbreak, which began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, quickly impacted the entire world, causing a serious crisis. Although the pandemic arrived late in our country, it continues to have serious repercussions in Turkey, as it has in other leading countries. The tourism and aviation sectors have undoubtedly been hit hardest by the pandemic, which has caused contraction and stagnation in many sectors in our country.

Taner Gündoğan, a member of the MÜSİAD New Tourism Resources Development Committee, made a comprehensive assessment of the future of the tourism sector, expectations, and necessary actions.

The Stagnation in Tourism Affects Nearly 50 Sectors

Noting that the tourism sector is the most affected by domestic and international developments, Gündoğan emphasized its highly fragile structure. Gündoğan noted that it would be inappropriate to consider tourism as a single sector, stating that any disruption in the sector would create a butterfly effect and repercussions in many other sectors. Gündoğan said, “The tourism sector has an organic structure; it doesn't just consist of hotels and agencies. The tourism sector has over 50 branches. We can include restaurants, taxi drivers, museums, and even bagel sellers in this.”

A Pandemic Action Plan Should Be Created in Tourism

Gündoğan emphasized that tourism has come to a halt due to the recent pandemic, saying, “Approximately 95% of businesses operating in the tourism sector by paying rent have suspended their operations. Approximately 90% of businesses operating on their own properties have also been forced to cease operations. Overnight stays in Istanbul, which reached ten thousand per day during this period, have dropped to a few hundred. At this point, our government and sector representatives need to implement an emergency action plan and act accordingly.”

Gündoğan explained that the MÜSİAD New Tourism Resources Development Committee has been in contact with local and global tourism businesses since the beginning of the pandemic and that they have developed a new roadmap based on the input they received from these representatives.

Speaking about the measures and initiatives currently being taken by tourism professionals, Gündoğan highlighted the following:

“- All hotels are having all their rooms, lobbies, and common areas disinfected by professional cleaning companies.

- Necessary pre-season technical maintenance and repairs are being carried out.

- All employees are currently receiving hygiene training and certification from professional teams, both remotely and in person when they return to work.

- All guest and staff areas in hotels are being rearranged according to social distancing.

- Guest areas such as pools, wet areas, beaches, saunas, and fitness centers are being rearranged according to hygiene and isolation requirements.

- Thermal cameras, which were installed at airports due to the coronavirus outbreak, are planned to be installed in large-scale hotels.

- Hotel operators are entering into special agreements with companies providing hygiene technologies and are periodically certifying hygienic cleaning.

- To reduce the socio-psychological impact of the coronavirus, which will remain on our minds for a certain period, hotel operators are planning special training and psychological counseling for their staff.”

Domestic Tourism Should Be Encouraged

Gündoğan emphasized that these measures taken to combat the coronavirus are not sufficient, emphasizing that it is essential for the government to implement certain regulations. He said, “Our government should develop a ‘Pandemic Action Plan for Tourism,’ rather than leaving the initiative to businesses. The entire travel and accommodation process, from the moment a domestic or foreign tourist leaves home until they return home, should be reconsidered from health, hygiene, and safety perspectives.