There has been an increase in the numbers of Turkish travellers arriving at the Malaga airport. Data up to August this year shows an increase of 55% when compared to data from 2012, since 24.772 travellers from Turkey arrived during this years eight-month period versus 15.919 during the same time frame last year.
Thus, during the first eight months of the year, more Turkish arrivals took place than during the whole of 2012, since only 23.930 tourists arrived last year, according to a statement released by the Town Council and the Board.
Elias Bendodo, president of the Board of Tourism Málaga-Costa del Sol and of the Council, has stressed the “relevance” the Turkish tourism market is gaining. In the same line, the Councilor for Culture, Tourism and Sports from the Town Council, Damian Caneda pointed out the importance of this tourism group and the fact that numbers of Turkish nationals staying at Malaga hotels have increased over 80%.
A contributing factor is the fact that Turkish Airlines has started a daily direct flight, as well as the promotional work set in motion by the Town Council during the year 2012.
To consolidate this growth, eight Turkish teaching agents have visited the province, to get to know more about the offerings of this destination for tourists choosing Málaga to study Spanish.
This familiarization tour has been organized by the Board of Tourism and the International Association of Teaching Councilors of Turkey (UED), in collaboration with the Málaga Town Council, the Board of Tourism of the Andalusian Community and Turkish Airlines. The tour has taken place primarily in the capital of the province and in Benalmádena. The educators attended a workshop and had the chance to visit ten language schools in the province.
Language segment development in Turkey has a great track record within the province, and its potential is being developed thanks to promotional activities, such as this familiarization tour, they pointed out. Agents from GKR Educational Counselling, Bilimevi, ELT International Education & Student Exchange Services Inc., Idealist Education Counsultancy, Academix, CDS, Atlas Private Educational Services and Armada Grandee participated in this tour.
Educators were “pleasantly surprised by the wealth” of a destination that is most often associated with the leisure segment. In this regard, Eren Göker, president of UED, pointed out that he was most impressed by the range of cultural activities that can be found in the area.
Mr. Göker said that “Málaga is not only a beach and sun destination, but it also has a great cultural heritage. Here, one can feel and smell culture. It is like Istanbul: people who come here can enjoy the culture, the welcoming people and a very active lifestyle”.
He also pointed out that Málaga is a “desirable destination for students 16 to 22 years old wishing to improve their Spanish level, and that aside from all the virtues of this destination, students will also find a safe and reasonably priced location, because the cost of living is cheaper than it is in Istanbul”.
This initiative complements another, carried out by the Board of Tourism Málaga-Costa del Sol during May this year, in Istanbul, in which the language sector (Hola!) was presented to travel agencies that specialize in Spanish language courses.
A new familiarization tour started on Tuesday. Five travel agencies from the Turkish region of Izmir will visit Málaga, Marbella and Estepona. The objective of this tour is the promotion of Costa del Sol as a “lifestyle”, cultural and culinary destination to an emerging market, such as the Turkish one.
Malaga Airport Taxi provide an online system of booking a taxi transfer which is also available to those booking a transfer from Turkey.
