Early bookings for Bodrum hotels decrease as Santorini earthquakes fuel concerns

The series of earthquakes in the Aegean Sea has led to a sluggish early booking season in Mugla’s Bodrum, one of the most renowned touristic destinations in Türkiye.

Early hotel reservations significantly dropped due to the concerns, Turkish tourism sector representatives from Bodrum reported.

Speaking to gazeteduvar.com.tr, Omer Faruk Dengiz, president of the Bodrum Hoteliers’ Association (BODER), said that due to the ongoing seismic activity, they have temporarily suspended advertising and promotional activities.

“We are closely following expert assessments and scientific studies. We hope to avoid a disaster and any loss of life. Our priority is ensuring people’s safety, not just making a profit. The well-being and security of our guests come first,” Dengiz said.

Dengiz noted that the early booking period is crucial for the industry, especially in attracting European tourists.

“This period is essential for us. It’s when we receive most of our holiday bookings from European visitors. Unfortunately, the timing of the earthquakes is unfavorable. Although there is no drastic percentage drop compared to last year, fluctuations are evident. We can’t confidently say we’ve reached 80% or 90% occupancy. Clearly, we have been affected by the situation,” he said.

He added that Bodrum’s low-rise architecture helps mitigate potential damage and casualties in the event of a major earthquake.

‘Bodrum is safe’

Huseyin Softa, general manager of Bodrum Soz Hotel, emphasized the importance of security in tourism.

“Safety is the number one concern in global tourism. Naturally, earthquakes make tourists uneasy, which negatively impacts the industry. As a country heavily reliant on European tourism, we cannot expect visitors to vacation in a place where they feel unsafe,” he said.

Softa also highlighted the spread of misleading information about the earthquakes, calling for accurate communication with international visitors. “We need to ensure that travelers from different countries receive the most accurate information about the earthquakes to prevent unnecessary panic.”

“Bodrum is built on a rocky foundation, with building heights strictly limited to two stories. Due to the coastal structure, a potential tsunami would have minimal impact on Bodrum. Unfortunately, alarmist reports such as ‘earthquake storms in Bodrum’ harm local tourism,” Softa asserted.

“The drop in reservations has become increasingly noticeable in recent days. There are times when we go an entire day without receiving a single booking. Compared to last year, there is a clear decline,” he added.

A series of earthquakes near the volcanic island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea since Jan. 28 has heightened concerns over volcanic activity and negatively affected tourism in the region.

More than 400 tremors have been recorded since the end of January, with experts linking the increase to active fault lines and volcanic activity in the area.

The quakes have been felt in several Turkish provinces, including Mugla, Izmir, and Aydin, raising alarm among residents and businesses.