Elite World Calls for Unified Strategy in Turkish Tourism Promotion

Emel Elik Bezaroğlu, Board Member responsible for Sales and Marketing at Elite World Hotels & Resorts, has called for a cohesive strategy and cross-sector collaboration to enhance Turkey's tourism promotion efforts. Speaking at an event celebrating the company's 50th anniversary, Bezaroğlu stressed that effective promotion requires a unified approach involving all levels of society.

Bezaroğlu highlighted the importance of joint action, stating, "Promotion must be done together and be multifaceted. Everyone must put their shoulder to the wheel." She cited the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency as a positive example of such cooperation. The company itself prioritizes promoting destinations before investing in hotels, recognizing that a strong destination brand is key to attracting visitors.

A critical factor for tourism development, according to Bezaroğlu, is accessibility. She pointed out that inadequate transportation infrastructure can significantly hinder tourism growth. Specifically, she mentioned Van as a location facing challenges due to limited flight frequency, emphasizing that increasing the number of flights is a primary demand for the region.

Bünyamin Öztürk, the group's vice president responsible for operations, added that the new "solution process" has positively impacted hotel investments in the region. Elite World Hotels & Resorts, which began with the 70-bed Tahran Hotel in Van in 1976, now operates 35 hotels across 19 cities with over 5,000 beds. The group aims to expand to 70 hotels by 2030, with new openings planned in Van, Amsterdam, Çimkent, and a hotel in the Ivory Coast by June 2027. The Tahran Hotel is also undergoing renovations.