Held in Antalya from May 3–7, 2025, the HelloOtel International Travel Agents Forum began with an opening party at Kilikya Palace Göynük. Kemer Mayor Necati Topaloğlu delivered the opening speech at the event, which brought together over 500 tour operators and travel agency representatives from 26 different countries. Tourism professionals gathered at Mirage Park Resort Hotel to mark the beginning of the summer season. As a Tourism Explorer team, we were there too—capturing insights from select forum participants for our readers.
This grand gathering on the Mediterranean coast was more than a networking opportunity—it was a forum where ideas and strategies for the new season were exchanged alongside business cards.
Steigenberger Aldau Resort Egypt
JENYA MELESHINA
Marketing Manager
“When German discipline meets Egyptian hospitality, a loyal guest base becomes inevitable.”
One of the strongest tourism destinations in the MENA region, Egypt is experiencing a remarkable resurgence post-pandemic. We had the opportunity to speak with Jenya Meleshina, Sales Director of the acclaimed Steigenberger ALDAU Resort, a key player in this revival.
Face-to-Face Engagement through the Forum
“This is my first time participating in such a large-scale event in Türkiye. Events like these—where agencies and hoteliers interact directly—are invaluable. The chance for professionals to personally present themselves, answer questions on the spot, and share their experience is fantastic. We’re very grateful to HelloOtel for making this possible.”
Steigenberger Standard: Global Quality, Local Sensibility
Our hotel is part of a renowned German chain, so we blend German discipline with Egyptian hospitality to deliver a high-standard service experience. Sustainability and hygiene are always our top priorities. Most of our guests are German, and many of them return time after time—which we take as a clear validation of our mission.
Turkish Guests Are a Key Focus
Interest from Turkish tourists is growing,” Meleshina added. “It’s important for us that guests from Türkiye feel completely at home with us.
Granada Luxury Resort
İZZET BOZOĞLAN
Sales & Marketing Representative
“At Granada, luxury isn’t just a privilege—it’s an accessible experience.”
Operating four facilities in Alanya and Belek, Granada Luxury Resort is among the prominent players in the Mediterranean tourism landscape. We spoke with Sales & Marketing Representative İzzet Bozoğlan about the resort’s service philosophy and its participation in the forum.
Forum Satisfaction
This is our second time participating in the forum organized under HelloOtel. Compared to last year, we’re happy to see even more attendees. Events like this are always beneficial for tourism professionals. We get to share detailed information about our properties in one-on-one meetings with agency owners and ensure they know exactly who to contact.
Granada’s Unique Approach
Granada appeals to all age groups. Our goal is to offer not only luxury but also a wide range of accessible services tailored to each guest’s needs. For families with children, we provide extensive amenities, and for adult-only travelers, our +13 beachfront hotel offers a peaceful getaway. Our Belek facility spans 100,000 square meters and offers guests a variety of high-end experiences, from an amusement park and aquapark to a semi-Olympic pool, Maldives-style villas, and a dynamic ‘Snack Street’ food court.
Market Share
In Belek, about 60% of our summer guests are European, primarily from the UK and Baltic countries. The CIS region accounts for about 15%, and domestic Turkish tourists for another 15%.
Maxeria Blue Didyma
SELÇUK YAMAÇ
General Manager
“Sometimes it’s the region, sometimes the hotel—but Maxeria Blue Didyma manages to elevate both.”
Located in the serene Akbük Bay of Didim, Maxeria Blue Didyma has been gaining attention for its focus on service quality and guest satisfaction. We sat down with General Manager Selçuk Yamaç to discuss the resort’s philosophy and the growing interest in Didim.
Didim in the Spotlight: A Coastal Gem on the Rise
At Maxeria, we place great importance on promoting our region. Didim, with its historical charm and fantastic climate, is part of the Ministry’s development zones and is set to shine even brighter. Our hotel, located in Akbük, is distinguished by its high service standards.
Guest-Centered Service Philosophy
We specialize in family and child-friendly concepts but also offer a versatile experience for all guests. From our 24-hour restaurant and Starbucks café to our premium culinary offerings, we focus on delivering top-quality service. Our restaurant features gourmet dishes from both Aegean and international cuisines, as well as regional Turkish delicacies, including desserts and traditional breakfasts crafted by chefs from Gaziantep and Hatay.
International Market Presence
Our guest base is primarily British and German, with additional visitors from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. While the CIS market is currently slower, we are confident it will rebound.
One of the key highlights of the interview was the recognition Maxeria Blue Didyma has received for its quality standards. Yamaç summarized these achievements as follows: “HolidayCheck 2025 Award, Quality Award 2024, and Zoover Awards 2024 Gold Winner.
Sunrise Resort & Cruises Egypt
ALENA KOZYREVA
Marketing Distribution Manager
“Sunrise represents the most refined form of personalized experience in Egypt.”
Sunrise Resort & Cruises Egypt, one of Egypt’s established tourism brands, focuses on differentiating itself not only in hospitality but also in guest experience. Alena Kozyreva, Marketing and Distribution Manager, shared the brand’s service philosophy and vision with us.
Forum Experience
HelloOtel organized a very special event in Kemer. I found this platform, which brought many agencies together, extremely useful. I hope the number of such global events increases over time. Sharing our experiences together here is wonderful.
The Address for Luxury Holidays in Egypt
We are one of the largest hotel chains in Egypt with over twenty properties. Sunrise is more than a hotel brand; the spirit of our brand is shaped by the importance we give to experience. As we expand our service variety and experience zones, we pay special attention to luxury segment guests. Today’s guest expectations are much more individual, and we customize our systems accordingly.
Strong and Strategic Turkish Market
Kozyreva noted the increasing interest of Turkish guests in luxury hotels: “Türkiye is an important market for us. We have a strong connection with Turkish guests due to cultural closeness and service expectations.”
Sealife Resort Hotel
MUTLU COŞKUN
Genel Koordinatör
“Sealife defines coastal hospitality not only with accommodation but with sustainable branding”
Sealife Resort Hotel, one of Antalya’s long-established hotel chains, focuses on guest satisfaction and sustainable success again this season. Mutlu Coşkun, General Coordinator, shared the hotel’s outlook for the 2025 season with Tourism Explorer readers.
The Importance of Attending the Forum
The primary importance of such fairs is advancing our branding. Secondly, we can present detailed updates about our facilities directly to current partners and agencies, enabling face-to-face interaction. This always adds value during the season. Tourism is becoming more global every day, and keeping up is not easy. But the HelloOtel team manages this very well. Tourism Explorer magazine is the latest proof of this. I wish you many more issues!
Sealife Concept
As the Sealife family, we offer products for various segments with resorts in Alanya, Kemer, and Konyaaltı. These include SeaLife Family Resort, Porto Bello Resort & Spa Hotel, SeaLife Lounge, Sealife Kemer Resort, SeaLife Buket Resort and Sealife Royal Suits. We are also active in the field of health tourism, business, and sports sectors.
HelloOtel Support
We established a joint roadmap with HelloOtel Turbo Marketing from its inception and have seen mutual benefits. We find this platform important for correctly expressing ourselves as a group and for conveying accurate information to guests.
Özel OFM Antalya Hastanesi
HAKAN ENGİN
Corporate and External Relations Manager
“OFM Antalya offers not just treatment but speed, trust, and international-standard health experiences.”
In recent years, health tourism has become one of Türkiye’s fastest-growing international sectors. Standing out with infrastructure investments and medical expertise, Türkiye is now a preferred center not only regionally but globally. We discussed the present and future of health tourism with Hakan Engin, Corporate and External Relations Manager of Private OFM Antalya Hospital.
Türkiye Has Become a Trusted Brand
Türkiye has made significant progress in health tourism recently. We are no longer just a country offering price advantages but one delivering quality services and trust. Especially in dental health, hair transplantation, cosmetic surgery, and organ transplants, Türkiye has made great strides. We will definitely stand out more in these fields in the future.
The European Market Prefers Us
Engin explained the increase in patients from Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK:
“Waiting times in Europe are very long. People prefer Türkiye for faster, affordable, and quality healthcare. They also combine their treatment with a holiday here. Additionally, we see strong demand from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia.”
Private OFM Antalya Hospital
Our hospital is located in Antalya city center, 8 km from the airport. It is a 9-story facility with 71 patient rooms and 48 intensive care beds, equipped with state-of-the-art medical devices sourced from Germany, meeting EU standards. We work here with great dedication. Our primary service is Tourism Health, and we serve patients from Antalya to Muğla and other cities, covering a wide area.
Forum Support
Engin stressed the importance of global forums for the tourism sector and concluded: “Türkiye’s growth in health tourism will continue. We are doing our best for sustainable success.”
This international gathering in the light of Antalya was not only a sign of the new season but also a demonstration of the sector’s will to think and grow together. The HelloOtel International Travel Agents Forum was full of hopeful contacts about the future of tourism. We witnessed global collaborations, local visions, and approaches redefining guest experience. As a Tourism Explorer, we were delighted to be part of this valuable atmosphere.
