Yasir Karaçor, General Manager for Germany and Austria at Anex Tourism Group, has outlined the company’s 2026 targets while assessing the impact of the ongoing war on travel demand.
Speaking to Turizm Ekonomi, the sister B2B travel portal of Türkiye Travel News, Karaçor said bookings had been running around 40% ahead of last year prior to the outbreak of the war, with Anex outperforming the market. However, demand began to weaken gradually after hostilities started.
“Before the war, our sales were about 40% higher than last year and ahead of the market. After the war began, bookings started to decline gradually,” Karaçor said.
He noted that Türkiye bookings initially remained stable, but sentiment shifted after missile debris fell on Turkish territory and the United States issued a travel advisory for southern Türkiye. Although the warning specifically referred to Adana and eastern regions, it was perceived more broadly, prompting risk-averse travelers to delay bookings.
Egypt bookings drop 70%
Karaçor said the war has had a particularly severe impact on Egypt, where daily sales flows have been heavily disrupted during the peak season.
“Egypt is currently in high season, with dozens of flights operating daily. Since we rely heavily on last-minute sales, the situation directly affects operations. Bookings to Egypt have dropped by around 70%,” he said.
Türkiye sales down 40%
Türkiye has also seen a significant decline in demand, with sales down around 40%, according to Karaçor. Despite efforts to reassure travel agencies that tourism operations continue normally, perception remains difficult to change.
“There is serious misinformation, especially on social media. Even news mentioning Türkiye can create concern among tourists,” he said.
Cancellations limited, but demand slows
Cancellations currently stand at around 15% of pre-war daily sales levels. Karaçor emphasized that uncertainty is leading consumers to postpone new bookings rather than cancel existing ones.
“If the war ends quickly, the balance could shift rapidly. Türkiye is not a party to the conflict, but travelers are waiting to see how developments unfold,” he added.
Spain gains, Greece stable
Among alternative destinations, Spain has seen a notable increase of around 30% in bookings, while Greece has not recorded a comparable shift.
Karaçor said it remains unclear whether the increase is directly linked to diverted Türkiye demand, noting that many travelers appear to be in a wait-and-see mode.
Close coordination with sector stakeholders
Karaçor highlighted ongoing coordination with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) and other stakeholders to communicate that Türkiye is not part of the conflict.
“We are in close contact with partners and continue to provide regular updates to reinforce this message,” he said.
Managing financial risks
He also noted that incoming agencies are working to manage risks related to post-dated hotel payments issued to suppliers. While recalling all checks could disrupt the system, paying for unsold reservations also poses risks.
“We did not take such measures even during the pandemic. A balanced, month-by-month approach is needed,” he said.
Airline bookings also decline
Discussions with airlines indicate that bookings to Türkiye have fallen by 35–40%, reflecting broader demand weakness.
Summer season operations begin
Karaçor said summer season flights began on March 21, with most capacity already sold in advance, although some cancellations have occurred.
“We are managing this period with short-term measures. I do not expect major problems for the summer season. Marketing and promotional activities continue as planned,” he said.
Target: 850,000 German tourists in 2026
Looking ahead, Karaçor confirmed that Anex plans to bring 850,000 travelers from Germany to Türkiye in 2026, representing a 20% increase year-on-year.
The company aims to maintain around 100,000 passengers to Spain, expand capacity in Greece, and significantly grow Egypt volumes to around 150,000 in the near term, citing its competitive pricing advantage.
Competitive strategy: Brand strength and revenue management
Karaçor underlined that Anex operates in Germany through four brands—Anex Tour, Oger Tours, Bucher Reisen, and Neckermann Reisen—and does not compete through aggressive agency commissions.
“Our strength comes from our brands and multi-supplier structure. We also manage pricing and seat capacity internally through our revenue management systems, allowing us to act independently of market fluctuations,” he said.
Airline capacity pressures prices
Karaçor warned that rapidly increasing airline capacity in Germany is putting downward pressure on prices.
“As supply exceeds demand, fares drop significantly—even to 50–60 euros one-way in August—forcing tour operators to lower package prices,” he said, adding that airlines are increasingly becoming direct competitors.
Türkiye no longer a low-cost destination
He also stressed that Türkiye is no longer a low-cost destination, with inflation driving up hotel prices.
“High-end hotels manage this better, but budget segments are under pressure. Türkiye does not need to be cheap, but it offers far superior service quality compared to lower-priced destinations like Egypt,” he said.
Fuel prices a key risk factor
Karaçor concluded by warning that rising oil prices—especially if exceeding 100 dollars per barrel—could significantly impact aviation costs, package prices, and consumer purchasing decisions.
“Ending the war and reopening key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz is critical. However, even then, fuel prices may not fall quickly. This will continue to influence both pricing and demand,” he said.