Attending the ITB Berlin Congress, President of the Health Tourism Council, MP Dr. Ahmet Savaşan stressed that new trends in tourism must be taken into account. Savaşan noted that experts predict that as travelers turn to “revenge tourism” in 2023, spending will approach $1.4 trillion in 2019, but the number of international tourists will remain at 1.6 billion, down from 1.8 billion in 2019.
Participating in the World Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin Congress, Cyprus Health Tourism Council President, MP Dr. Dr. Ahmet Savaşan, He stated that they had the opportunity to discuss all aspects of tourism in the sessions, which included 400 internationally recognized high-level speakers and were watched by 24 thousand people.
Savaşan emphasized that experts predict that as travelers turn to “revenge tourism” in 2023, spending will approach $1.4 trillion in 2019, but the number of international tourists will remain at 1.6 billion, down from 1.8 billion in 2019.
“2023 WILL BE A YEAR OF RECOVERY”
Stating that many discussions were held at the ITB Berlin Congress on how to achieve a sustainable and successful future transformation in tourism with the experts leading the sector, Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. G. K. K. Ahmet Savaşan, “In the sessions we attended, experts predicted that 2023 will be a year of inflation and recession, with interest rate hikes and deterioration in demand, and financial stability will face an important test, while on the other hand, the tourism sector, which came to a standstill during the pandemic and whose debts grew like a mountain, will enter a recovery phase as travelers continue to turn to ’revenge tourism“.”.
“TOURISM CAN BUILD A SELF-SUFFICIENT ECONOMY”
Pointing out that experts reveal that everything from travel purposes and travel expectations of travelers to transportation and accommodation preferences are changing rapidly in the tourism sector Ahmet Savaşan, “When we look at the changing trends, we see that travelers are shifting from popular and crowded destinations such as Paris and Rome to exploration routes, and are turning to holiday, camping and bungalow accommodation options in touch with nature. Considering the changes taking place in the world, it is obvious that Northern Cyprus has a significant potential to meet the expectations of travelers. If the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and stakeholders combine their experience and strength, this potential can be easily utilized and a self-sufficient economic structure can be established in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”.
“TREND, DIFFERENT CULTURES, NEW EXPERIENCES”
Dr. Ahmet Savaşan, He stated that three new main trends stand out in the tourism sector, which is predicted to rise in 2023 and offers important opportunities for Northern Cyprus:
“1. Return to nature arising from the increasing interest in accommodation options such as bungalows, tents, caravans in nature and nature activities such as rafting, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding;
2. Different cultures, new experiences, as travelers want to experience a trip where they will experience culture shock and have exotic experiences, a trip that pushes their limits and takes them out of their comfort zone;
3. Increased price sensitivity as in 2023, with global economic uncertainty prevailing, travelers will continue to prioritize travel but will take extra care to get the most out of their travel budget.’
“WE DISCUSSED MANY ASPECTS OF HEALTH TOURISM”
Noting that this year, with the M2 Health Travel organization, the Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin hosted many more medical and health tourism representatives compared to previous years Ahmet Savaşan, He said that they discussed many aspects of health tourism with many medical and health tourism experts from Germany, Turkey and all over the world in the sessions held in the specially created congress area.
“EXPECTATIONS IN HEALTH TOURISM WILL ALSO CHANGE”
Stating that in the sessions where Health Tourism was discussed, it was revealed that the demands in the world increased by more than 30 percent in 2022 compared to 2021 Ahmet Savaşan, He said that it is foreseen that there will be a change in expectations in health tourism in 2023.
“NORTH CYPRUS WILL GO MUCH FURTHER IN HEALTH TOURISM”
Mr. Savaşan stated that the experts in the presentations revealed that the demand for medical tourism will continue to increase in 2023, while tourists are bored with traditional wellness trips and want to try more exciting alternatives to protect and improve their health. Emphasizing that this new trend is “Sylvotherapy”, also known as forest bathing, which is said to associate fruit harvesting and a person's energy with the forest, among health tourism alternatives Ahmet Savaşan, “Both the special medical services offered by the council members in Northern Cyprus in medical tourism and our advantages at the point of healthy life holidays show that Northern Cyprus can go much further in health tourism,” he said.
