The offer seems as unrealistic as it is tempting. A 22-day stay on the Turkish Riviera (also known as the Turquoise Coast) in five-star all-inclusive accommodation for €599. With transfer from the airport to the hotel and laundry service. This is Lidl’s offer to German customers in its latest brochure promoting a holiday offered by tour operator BigXtra Touristik. And it looks like success is on the way. According to a Lidl spokesperson, as quoted by BFMTV, demand immediately exceeded the quota set for this stay.
This marketing trick is not annoying in Turkey. The country is suffering from high inflation (now it is 80%) and an economic crisis, reports the German daily. Handelsblatt . The more than competitive price offered by Lidl is lower than some monthly rents in the country. And this without room service. “My beautiful homeland has become a cheap home for Europeans.”, – complains a Turk on Twitter, reports the German media. Another even calculates the price of staying on the Turkish platform offered by Lidl: the price is two and a half times higher.
Germany’s proposal is also being discussed. Many media ask the question how appropriate it is to remain like this in the conditions of the energy crisis. Will traveling become more profitable than paying gas and electricity bills? Our German neighbor, like the rest of Europe, bears the brunt of the energy price increase (it has multiplied by two or three, depending on the Länder), hitting German households hard. The economy argument may hit the mark, while the Germans have to face very high bills this winter.
Turkey avoided the energy crisis
It must be said that in this period of crisis, Turkey enjoys a special status. Although the country is in a difficult economic situation, it does not face the same energy concerns as its European neighbors. It does not face the increase in gas prices because the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan has not adhered to the Western sanctions applied against Russia in the context of the Ukrainian war. The country will be supplied in the desired quantity and should not face any problem in the coming months.
Therefore, as pointed out Handelsblatt, Turkish hoteliers can offer unbeatable prices to foreign tourists. According to Denis Ugurn, head of the Swiss Bentour tourist operator, the daily newspaper quotes:, A million Germans could come to Turkey this winter, about twice as many as usual. Thus, he invites some hotel owners to reconsider their decision to close in winter.
Will this “energy tourism” become a fundamental trend? Apart from the cynicism of the approach, it should actually apply to only a small fraction of households. Because between payments, honorariums, and getting kids to school, many will go their separate ways.
Source: Le Figaro
