Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
General Topics => The Debating Chamber => Topic started by: Colwyn on November 07, 2017, 10:42:42 AM
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I start this thread with the hope of learning something not to air my opinions - because I don't have any yet, only questions. I notice that some people rail against AI hotels mostly on the grounds that people who stay there enjoy all the attractions of a resort but then many go back to their hotel instead of spending money in local bars and restaurants and so on. But what about cruises ships? Don't the guests on these do the same? How much do their holidaymakers spend in the resorts? I have not been either to an AI hotel or on a cruise - and am unlikely to ever do so - so I don't know what is usual. But I notice that the Turkish government is offering a $30 per guest subsidy to cruise companies to attract these cruisers so presumably they reckon each couple turns a profit of over $60 for Turkish companies - unless it is only for PR purposes.
So ... are Cruise Ships better than All Inclusive for local economies?
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I think it’s similar in a lot of ways but neither for me iam afraid.I have been AI and because of this would not want to take a cruise if that makes sense.
Although in some ways very similar in others they both have a different but similar effect on local tourism i.e. AI guests tend to stay in a lot not contributing and once you get one you seem to get a few which all have an adverse effect on the economy.
Cruises I think bring a hit and run type spender and businesses put up prices to capitalise which puts off non cruise guests because places become too expensive,again a downturn will inevitably ensue.
I think !
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I seem to remember you railing against the use of So as a sentence starter Colwyn ....... just saying!
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I seem to remember you railing against the use of So as a sentence starter start to an answer Colwyn ....... just saying aaarghh!
Glad you are paying attention at the back, but a little more precision needed. 7/10
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A lot of people don,t even leave the ship's when they stop in ports.My grandchildren like staying on board and can,t be bothered with making the journey into the resort's,they would rather do the ship's activities.Not my attitude but that is the way it is.
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Took a cruise of the Adriatic a couple of weeks ago. Our first “grown up” cruise (done a taster and one on a working boat in Norway previously). Not really our thing but after the initial cost, it was the cheapest holiday we have ever had. The shops were full of touristy junk and the food and drink didn’t tempt us too much as there is more than sufficient on board. Shame, as I had cash, cards and cheque book with me which were just crying out to be used! :(
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We had a big family holiday at La Zenia in Torrevieja the first year the all inclusive was introduced. We couldnt believe it, the kids drank pop and ate so much icecream, that combined with all the food and alcohol we consumed it was hard to see where they would make any profit. Think the kids went on one trip and we never left the hotel. The entertainment was good hotel was very nice and later featured on wish you were here with Judith Chalmers. Think that was our only venture into all inclusive land. We have never been on a cruise either, although my niece and her husband went on one for the first time last year and raved about it. I quite like the concept of being entertained every night and day if I so wish..I do need entertaining. Still think I would like to give it a go, at least once.
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We have done both and I think that people tend to be more likely to leave a ship than a hotel. There are both kinds in either. We frequently met people who freely admit to never leaving the hotel, and people that are out on trips or exploring every day. Same on the ships - not forgetting that some people are not able to leave the ship and stay on.
I would definitely say that a larger percentage of people leave cruise ships than AI hotels - but we found that we went for a look around and returned to the ship - often to have lunch etc. So it is shorter bursts of more people than with AI.
The Turkish government need to do more than just offer $30 per person - our itinerary for next May has dropped Kusadasi due to 'political unrest' and $30 per person won't be bringing any P&O cruise ships to Turkish ports at all next year (as for this year).
Instead of going to Kusadasi it will be Rhodes, which is an opportunity for us to relive our day trips there from when we lived in Turkey. I plan to visit McDonald's, BHS and Marks & Spencer; then grab a taxi to the Spar hypermarket to buy loads of pork, cheese and McVitie's chocolate digestives.
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I know a few who cruise but don’t spend much ashore. Why would they if they have bought a drinks package and the food is free?
We once met my wife’s sister and her hubby in Cádiz. We were having lunch in a lovely little place but they declined due to having to pay for it.
Sadly they missed a lovely tapas.
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There are those people, however we tend to take the opportunity to have lunch in the resort/port town. Sometimes there’s not a great deal to see and your back on the ship in time for lunch - other times you sight see, stop for a drink and people watch, go for lunch somewhere pleasant looking etc and nearly miss the ship
I would say that overall, we spend more money off ship in a week than we do outside AI resort. There’s always the feeling on a cruise that you are only there for a day so you better make the most of it.
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Do you dress up in a penguin suit like Rob Brydon?
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Not on board but have been know to.... ;)
(https://s1.postimg.org/11ewb99t23/image.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/11ewb99t23/)
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Do you dress up in a penguin suit like Rob Brydon?
No, never have and doubt that will change. I don’t go on holiday to dress up. Those nights/events are optional and in truth many adore them, the highlight of their cruise.
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Pity. I was hoping for photies.
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Pity. I was hoping for photies.
Here you go boyo. ;)
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/03/25/20/3EA1611600000578-4349332-image-a-35_1490474474696.jpg)
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Here’s me as posh as I go on a cruise
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171108/c6c4a45b9aa7ba06baa1ee3375f201e3.jpg)
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Lady behind your left shoulder is not sure about the Lynx effect..........
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Those showers in the cabins aren't great
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I decided to make an effort for Colwyn
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171108/da2935f27a640794675a7fcf5f7ad2e8.jpg)
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Done them both, AI three times, twice in Mexico and once in Egypt (winter hols) two weeks of chilling doing nothing, charge the batteries. Cruise last year for a special anniversary, Southern Caribbean, loved every minute of it and that was me who didn't fancy a cruise. We are off around the Med next Sept on the same ship Celebrity Eclipse. Couldn't do them every year. AI resorts, personally I think you have to get out or I go stir crazy but some people go for two weeks and never venture outside the hotel complex.
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I decided to make an effort for Colwyn
Very fetching. And does whizz round-and-round?
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Two trips to Fethiye booked and paid for next year: -
In May with a lady friend to Letoonia - AI and perfect for the two of us. Great food and a very relaxing time for a couple of weeks. Everything done for us - food, drinks and pampering beyond belief. Been there before and all that I hoped it would be.
In August/September with a friend in a rented apartment for three weeks. Totally different holiday in the same town. Still pampered with shave and massage every two days and some interesting home cooking mixed with eating out.
AI in Letoonia - for me - is a world apart from cruising. I can escape to Calis or Fethiye or hire a car to visit local areas.
Mediterranean cruise for three weeks drove me batty. There is no escape from the "arranged" daily activities and the same faces at meal times. Looking at the sea on a daily basis is mind numbing.
Plus - I get seasick on damp grass so I am probably not the best person to give an unbiased opinion.
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Thanks to all for their interesting replies. I still can't see a clear-cut advantage of cruises over AI from the point of view of local tourist economies even though cruises seem to come in for less abuse. But I feel better informed about the issue. In both cases there are those people who "escape" at the drop of a hat, whilst others are more likely to stay put and enjoy the "home" attractions of their base. I suppose in the case of cruises the choice is, for example, whether whatever the tourist $s, €s or £s that are available go to Kusadasi or to Rhodes. The AKP Gov. reckons that making it a Turkish resort is worth more than $30 per tourist to the Turkish economy (or it hopes the tourist may come back and spend a lot more).
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On, I think, a slightly different tack from your original question Colwyn. People can be very critical of AI because the 'inmates' apparently do nothing for the local economy which may be relevant in a place like Fethiye but I am thinking of all the AIs in Antalya, the ones that are billed as being on Lara Beach but are, in fact, in Kundu. If anyone has ever been to Kundu, outside the AIs, they will know there is absolutely nothing there of any interest. A few fur/ leather emporiums for the poor souls who have escaped their AI and a few other tat shops. But, the people who do go to these AIs are eating and drinking (local produce) and being served and having their rooms cleaned etc etc which helps the local economy hugely in my opinion, or even if not the local economy the economy in general. These folk wish to go somewhere where they don't want to 'suffer' the realities of life while on their hols so if the AIs were not available they would go to a different country altogether because they are not interested in local colour but getting their hols as they want them. Horses for courses.
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I guess the advantage of cruises over AI is you get a big influx into resort every day as the ships come in and out daily. People would only go out a couple of times perhaps if staying a week in AI locally.