Republican People's Party (CHP) Muğla Deputy Lawyer Gizem Özcan made a statement on the Bill on Amendments to the Tourist Guide Profession Law and the Travel Agencies Association Law, which includes regulations regarding tourist guides and travel agencies, which were discussed and accepted in the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly this week. . He stated that the problems in the tourism sector are urgent and burning.
Emphasizing that the tourism sector is a dynamic sector, Özcan stated that in recent years, elements such as sustainability, technology, cultural experiences, health and safety have become increasingly prominent in global tourism. Özcan said, “Sustainable and environmentally friendly travel options are more preferred, flights that reduce carbon footprint, green accommodation and ecological tourist activities determine the travel preferences of conscious tourists. The state of tourism in our country is far from catching up with these trends. How could it not be far? A qualified workforce and dynamic creativity dominate the sector. However, our potential is much higher than what we have. "Our country can be one of the flagships of global tourism," he said.
“THE POTENTIAL IN TOURISM IS NOT REALIZED DUE TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT DOES NOT TAKE THE DEMANDS OF THE SECTOR SERIOUSLY”
Özcan said that the potential in tourism has not been realized due to the government's understanding that does not take the demands of the sector seriously, and stated the following; “The government does not take the demands of the sector seriously, but it knows how to boast about the success of the sector. Look, our tourism income increased by 2023 percent in 17, reaching 54.3 billion dollars. The number of visitors increased by 11 percent and reached 57 million people. Average tourism income per person per night increased from $89 to $99. I express my respect to all industry components who contributed to this increase with their sweat and effort. All our efforts are to defend their rights and laws. For this purpose, I am making a call to the government from here: The Ministry of Culture and Tourism says that our goal is to increase tourism income to 2024 billion dollars, the number of tourists to 60 million, and nightly spending from 60 dollars to 99 dollars in 109.
Stop irresponsibly placing this goal on the shoulders of an industry whose words you do not take seriously. It's not too difficult! Just listen to those who work day and night to grow tourism, instead of making laws for the interests of their supporters in the corridors of the palace! We are ready! Let's make an arrangement together that takes into account the demands of the sector components, solves their problems, and provides the necessary supports for us to have a qualified tourism world. Remember, you did not inherit the public resources you manage, these resources are the sweat of this people. Do your part to invest these resources in tourism and thus enrich our country with tourism!”
WHAT KIND OF MIND IS IT TO MIX A LAW ON TOURISM WITH AN INSULT OF THE PRESIDENT?
Emphasizing that the powers of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies were trimmed with the law and these powers were transferred to the Ministry, Özcan said, “When the new regulation is mentioned, the government thinks of transferring powers to itself. I ask: Why? To what need is this an answer? Who requested this? On the contrary, shouldn't it be necessary to include universities with Tourism Faculties in the functioning of the sector?
If that wasn't enough, according to the law, the activities of tourism associations and guide rooms can be terminated without waiting for a judicial decision, for abstract reasons such as "national security, public order, prevention of crime"! Where should we start from? This regulation applies not only to the Constitution's right to a fair trial; It is also against the freedom of association and association.
We see that the crime of insulting the President has been added to the provisions preventing being a tourist guide. From where? What is the purpose of including a crime that is vague and frequently used as a cudgel by the government, in a regulation related to tourism? What kind of mind is it that includes insulting the President with a law regarding tourism? Is this compatible with the seriousness of the state? said.
WHY ARE YOU REDUCING THE WAGES OF OUR GUIDES WHEN POVERTY HAS COVERED THE SOCIETY LIKE A GANGRENE?
Stating that a new application has been introduced under the name of "Turkish guide", Özcan said, "Why? By removing the foreign language requirement for licensed guiding, it opens the way for around 14 thousand guides to be employed more cheaply. The base wage is the minimum wage for those practicing that profession. Is paying up to 70 percent of this base wage for Turkish guides compatible with the social rule of law? Why are you reducing the wages of our guides when insecurity, financial difficulties and poverty are gripping the society like a gangrene? While global trends show that areas such as nature tourism, religious tourism and gastronomy will come to the fore, what kind of mind is it to confine the guiding profession to museums and historical sites?
We will implement the arrangements worthy of our country's tourism, together with the families who cut down on kitchen expenses and send their children to the guidance department, together with our guides who work nights to make their profession qualified, together with the stubbornly organized unions, professional chambers and associations, together with the government of our Party!
