Tourism Industry Attacks Turkey’s Alcohol Ban Plans
Almasalla Travel News – The tourism industry and drinks companies voiced opposition to Turkey’s plans to ban alcohol advertising and curb sales ahead of a final decision on the bill, saying it could hit tourism revenues and have little impact on alcohol abuse.
Turkey announced plans last month to ban alcohol advertising and stop shops selling alcohol from 22.00-06.00 (10 pm to 6 am) and President Abdullah Gul has until Tuesday to sign or reject the bill.
Beer and spirits makers have said it is too early to determine the impact of the restrictions, but all criticised the plan.
Diageo, the leading spirits maker in Turkey and which bought local company Mey Icki in 2011, said on Friday that cooperation between government, industry and interest groups was a better way to tackle alcohol abuse.
Galip Yorgancioglu, managing director of Diageo Turkey, said in a statement that regulation focusing on the realities of alcohol harm was better than a marketing ban that could affect tourism and other areas of commerce.
Pernod Ricard, the number two spirits maker in Turkey, said it too was disappointed because it had not been consulted.
“We are not convinced that this will reduce alcohol abuse,” a company spokesman said.
The curbs on alcohol by the Islamist government have added to anger in Turkey, reflected in a current wave of protests in the country, against what people see as Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s pursuit of an “Islamist” agenda that goes against the country’s secular constitution.
Turkey’s tourism industry said the restrictions would hurt tourism revenues, a major economic sector.
“The changes in regulations will undoubtedly have a negative impact on numbers of visitors and tourism revenues,” said Timur Bayindir, head of Turkey’s TUROB tourism industry association.
“Turkey’s medium-term goal for 2023 is to draw 50 million foreign visitors and USD$50 billion in revenues. To achieve this, revenue per tourist must increase to USD$1,000 from USD$800 now. However this is not possible by not selling drinks or restrictions on leisure.”
Turkish tourism drew revenues of USD$29.4 billion in 2012 and tourism receipts helped finance more than half of the country’s USD$46.9 billion high current account deficit last year.
Source : Rus tourism news
