A 100% occupancy rate was reached in thermal facilities, primary and secondary education institutions in Balikesir, Kutahya and Yalova with the start of the first semester break of the 2023-2024 academic year.
Thermal hotels operating in Gure District of Edremit district of Balikesir, one of Turkiye’s important thermal tourism centers, are experiencing intense demand for the mid-term holiday that started on Friday, November 10.
Edremit Deputy Mayor Tayfun Canli told the AA correspondent that there are intense requests for reservations in thermal hotels owned by the municipality.
Stating that the district is one of the leading regions of Turkiye in health, thermal and mountain tourism during the winter season, Canli said, “There is a density of hotels in our Gure region, especially in thermal tourism regions. Our municipality also has thermal hotel investments in that region.”
Yagiz Ongen, who manages a 5-star hotel in Gure District, also mentioned that there is a serious demand for reservations for the mid-term holiday and emphasized that they will spend 8 days fully occupied.
Pointing out that there are people coming here, especially from big cities, to have a holiday, Ongen said, “There is interest mainly from Istanbul to the North Aegean and Kaz Mountains side. After Istanbul, we see interest from other cities such as Izmir and Ankara.”
Facilities in Kutahya are also pleased with the interest
In Kutahya, which is one of Turkiye’s important thermal tourism centers and serves with a bed capacity of 2,500, there is a booking activity due to the mid-term holiday in the Ilica and Yoncali thermal centers close to the city center, as well as in the businesses in Simav, Gediz, Tavsanli and Emet districts, which are famous for their hot springs.
Umit Efe, manager of the thermal hotel operating in Yoncali, famous for its healing waters, said that midterm holidays are a lifeline for tourism professionals.
“We achieved a 100% occupancy rate in reservations,” said Efe, adding:
“The thermal spring waters in Yoncali have great benefits for health due to the high mineral content. Compared to other thermal spring centres, our hotel can be a good choice for both those seeking healing and those who want to have a holiday. We have guests coming from many cities, especially metropolitan cities.”
Hotel manager Yakup Kucuk also stated that there was intense interest due to the mid-term break and that they received reservations from Istanbul, Bursa and Eskisehir.
Guray Akman, the manager of a hotel in the Ilıca region, 28 kilometers away from the city center, said, “Kutahya is a very rich city in terms of thermal resources. Due to the winter months, especially families with children prefer thermal hotels. Currently, our hotel has reached 90% occupancy rate. There is great interest in our hotel from surrounding provinces.”
Facilities in Yalova reached 80% occupancy
Thermal district, located 12 kilometers away from the center of Yalova, is one of the places of great interest to students and families who want to spend their mid-term holidays in touch with nature.
Umit Gurbuzoglu, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Health Yalova Thermal Springs Operation, stated that the facility, established on an area of 3 thousand 600 decares, is one of the favorite centers that has been used continuously since the Byzantine period.
Gurbuzoglu emphasized that families who wanted to benefit from the healing spring waters in nature went to the facility with the start of the mid-term break and said:
“Families have a nice holiday and benefit from the healing waters. Children rest more here. We have currently reached 80% occupancy rate. We aim to reach 100% occupancy in a day or two. Our facility is 45 minutes away, right in the middle of Bursa, Istanbul and Kocaeli. Our water comes from a 65 degree spring. Our outdoor pool provides service at a suitable temperature for our guests in summer and winter. Our water is currently at 35-36 degrees. Our guests, who want to benefit from abundant oxygen in the forest area, historical areas and healing waters, visit our facility on a daily or accommodation basis.”
Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz