Busy season 2009

[Birdy]

It appears that 2009 is going to be a bumper year as regards Brits going to Turkey .Mainly due to the Euro v £. I have spent quite some time in various travel agents in last couple of weeks trying to book some holidays Icmeler (august) being one of them and there is much talk of people shying away from the eurozone and opting mainly for Turkey with bulgaria and Egypt as runners up. That said it worries me slightly because i think a cram packed Icmeler wouldnt be quite the same ,obviously i would like to see good numbers for the sake of the icmeler traders and hoteliers and also to provide some atmosphere but to be packed out would i think spoil some of what attracts most of us on here the relative peace and tranquility. Any thoughts ?

[JT]

Icmeler is not the only resort in Turkey and the resort can only fill its rooms.

Icmeler rooms are full to bursting every July, August and September every year anyway so nothing will change there and once they are full that is it.

There has never been any "cardboard city" or tents erected on the beach that I remember so it does not matter how many people enquire because if its full its full.

[KarenH]

i too have spoken to more people than usual that have decided to go to turkey. so thats good news...
i just hope they are not the loud brash Brits, who make me want to curl up and hide

[smc4761]

I think that it will be busier than normal but not full to bursting. A couple of things will cause this I beleve. With the credit crunch biting even harder people may fear about their jobs and holidays abroad may be seen as an unneccessary luxury

Whilst the Eurozone may have a poor excgange rate the cost of getting to Turkey may cancel some of this out. Some of the flight prices are riduclous compared to previous years, although accomadation is generally very reasonable

Stewart

[JT]

Stewart out of curiosity how many holidays have you booked to Turkey this year

[smc4761]

Just the one I am going in May 17th for 2 weeks, any reason for asking?

I have booked independently but will contact you shortly to arrange a transfer to/from Dalaman

Stewart

[JT]

Haha keep it cool Stewart and I wasn't fishing for you to book a transfer either.

The point I am making is if you have booked your first holiday of the year in May (which is normal for Turkey lovers as they usually then go back September sometime) then what makes you think that other people will not go because of the credit crunch.

People are booking as usual as in they are booking a first holiday though some have not gone for their early one yet as they are seeing what all this brings but they are booking what is normally their second as they do know that they can afford it.

People will still book holidays, buy TV's go to B&Q and all those other outlets and spend their money( go and look next weekend at one of those outlets and see how busy they are)

A holiday is what you look forward to every year and also everyone else so don't worry Icmeler will still be full July/August and September and hopefully the "new blood"coming from Spain will come early season in May and June and help boost the economy of the resorts

[Birdy]

I spoke to many bar owners and traders whilst in Icmeler in august /sept last year and most if not all told of a particularly poor year where hotels had definitely been well short of full to bursting .I wonder why season is so short in Turkey generally surely season could be increased by at least a month either end ?.

[KarenH]

have to admit, my holiday would be the LAST thing i would give up.

we went for the first time sept and just couldnt believe the change in icmeler, i much prefered it too july, but the weather was very hit and miss.....

it wont be the credit crunch that effects icmeler/turkey, it will be the AI hotels, as people may choose these to keep an eye on the cost of things

[JT]

Hmm so I am not telling the truth and the bar owners do eh.

I sell accommodations in Turkey and if I can't get people in because they are full to bursting then I or the hotel owners must be telling lies so the rooms can stay empty because they and we like to keep the rooms empty

[Birdy]

Hmmm so all traders and bar owners i spoke to + friends of mine who go to Icmeler at least twice a season tell lies ?.I feel the reality lies somewhere in between with an improvement expected this coming season generally as far as numbers going to Turkey .As long as businesses in Turkey keep prices reasonable it should bode well for years to come via repeat bookings .

[dksbbs]

I think the main reason the bar owners are claiming a rough time is due to a lot of people slecting All Inclusive, but the main reason is the council have allowed far too many bars and restaurants to open up.


Dave

[smc4761]

Admin

I have spoken with a numerous people in my work, about 2000 work here and many of them are tightening their belts. Things that can be seen as luxurys, holidays new cars new kitchens etc are being cut back on as the credirt crunch hits home. You just have to look in the UK at the number of people who have been made redundant over past few months.

I agree that there will be some who will always take their holidays, me included. Over the past few years i have tried to go twice to Turkey, i always go in May but I dont think that i will be back again late in the season.

Hopefully things will pick up this year in Turkey as the last 2 years i have been have been relatively quiet, althogh I have not been June july August

I know you were not touting for business, but I will book the transfer once i get paid at the end of month

Stewart

[Rami Off Work]

Thank you Stewart,

We look forward to serving you in anyway we can.

Regards,
Rami
ICR

[jane]

Well all i can say is roll on august i cant wait to get back, 3 weeks this time, just need that 100.000 then thats me to icmeler for good.
We love it and like you said once its full its full! so long as its not the hairy arsed drunken brits, but i am sure all us would be ex pats can sort that one eh!

[duffaire]

Totally agree with Jane, the last thing we want is that type of people in Icmeler.
We are looking forward to both our coming holidays there, (May and Sept) we always have a great time as the people of Icmeler are so welcoming, and we feel this a very genuine welcome, not just to get our money, we have been to most of the European destinations but never felt happier than we do in Heaven.

[madmackem]

Here's hoping that 2009 is a great year for everyone , those who work in Icmeler and those of you like us that keep returning to our home from home simply because we love it. I agree with KarenH it's the AI hotels that have made things tough for the bars and resturants. I have heard from friends in other area's of Turkey that are being affected the same way, and Turgatreis have decided that next year they will cut AI by 20% and then a further cut the following year if trade in the bars and resturants does'nt pick up, may something like this would help in Icmeler, who knows?

Elaine and Peter

[kirky]

reading daily mirror weekend said turkey bookings for this year gone up by 40 %. i just hope that with more tourist the bars restuarants dont get greedy put up there prices.

[Trish]

reading daily mirror weekend said turkey bookings for this year gone up by 40 %. i just hope that with more tourist the bars restuarants dont get greedy put up there prices.

At least nine people in our office (of 35 people) have picked my brains over Turkey, Not sure I like the fact that they may invade our beloved Icmeler, so I've steered them all elsewhere!! Just joking, they like a lot of others want more for their pound, so it's being considered by people who have never been before. As we all know, they won't be disappointed.

[redrhino12]

I have already reserved our seats in Sugars Buffalo Bar for May and August so I am hopeing we are guaranteed missing the rush.

For those who havent already booked,"Dont be left at the starting post"
I to think Turkey will be in Demand as it is still "Affordable." when being compared with the Euro Zone

Gene