WTM 2016: Survey Reveals Positive Outlook for Greece, Egypt and Turkey

The tourism industries in Greece, Egypt and Turkey could be getting back on track, according to the WTM Industry Report 2016 released on Monday, November 7, the first day of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2016.

More than 2,000 buyers and exhibitors were polled for the report, with half the global sample saying they are planning to have conversations with suppliers from Egypt, Greece or Turkey.

World Travel Market, Senior Director, Simon Press.

As mentioned in the report, the three destinations’ tourism industries have been hit hard by a combination of political uncertainty and terrorist attacks over the past few years, prompting many travel companies to withdraw from or severely limit their presence.

However, this could be about to change, with 37 percent of the total sample looking to talk to Greek businesses, 29 percent looking to talk to Turkish suppliers and 17 percent heading toward the Egypt stands.

And it appears as if many buyers have already decided that they are willing to sign on the dotted line, with eight out of ten expecting to confirm deals. Eight out of ten buyers having talks with Turkish, Greek and Egyptian exhibitors plan on signing contracts (80 percent, 80 percent and 78 percent respectively).

Tunisia is another destination whose tourism industry has been hit, and its recovery is taking longer to materialise but there are early signs of a shift in sentiment. While only eight percent of the sample are looking to talk to representatives, more than 70 percent of those are expecting to sign a deal.

“After a difficult couple of years, the signs are that Egypt, Greece and Turkey are back on the agenda, while Tunisia is starting to turn the corner”, World Travel Market, Senior Director, Simon Press said.

“The WTM Industry Report talks to people who have the power to sign deals and the high proportion of potential buyers interested in having conversations with suppliers from these destinations is a great positive”, Press added.

WTM London will run until Wednesday, November 9.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is an official media partner of WTM London 2016.