Excited by the extension of the Qurban Bayram (Feast of the Sacrifice) holiday to nine days, those who wish to make the most of the last holiday opportunity of the year poured into hotels in Antalya and along the Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines. Sector representatives announced that the hotel occupancy rate is expected to reach 100 percent during the holiday period.

The holiday during Qurban Bayram, which will be celebrated from Sept. 11 to Sept.15, was extended to nine days, after Friday, Sept. 16 was also declared as an official holiday. Since this nine-day holiday is the last chance to enjoy the sea, sand and sun before school starts, many hotels on the Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines have already reached full occupancy.

Noting that the tourism industry is seeing a much needed boost during Qurban Bayram, Turkish Hoteliers Association (TÜROFED) President Osman Ayık told DHA that numbers are making a comeback, pointing out that a majority of the coastal hotels will be filled with guests during the holiday. Osman Ayık said the nine-day holiday has a positive effect on the sector, stressing that the occupancy rate might reach 100 percent during Qurban Bayram.

Mediterranean Touristic Hotel Owners and Operators (AKTOB) President Yusuf Hacısüleyman said the domestic market has seen a boost from the upcoming holiday. "However, it is not possible to talk about a nine-day holiday since the dates were announced late. It is not a nine-day holiday in terms of tourism," Hacısüleyman said, suggesting that the official holidays, administrative leaves and additional days should be announced on Jan. 1 each year so that the tourism economy can benefit from this and people can make their plans and book reservations before those dates. "Of course there is still room for those who cannot decide yet. Intensity in demand mainly focuses on Antalya," Hacısüleyman said.

Following the announcement of the nine-day holiday, reservations leaped up once again and will gain momentum over the next two-week period, Professional Hotel Managers' Association (POYD) Chairman Ali Kızıldağ said. "Hopefully, the reservation flow pleases us during Qurban Bayram as much as it did during Ramadan. The demand is currently on an upward trend," Kızıldağ said.