Luxury villa occupancy surges ahead of Eid holiday

The demand for luxury villas in the resort town of Kaş, a popular destination for isolated holidays during the pandemic, has surged, with the occupancy rate of approximately 6,000 villas reaching 70 percent just before the upcoming Eid al-Adha.

Kalkan neighborhood of Antalya district, known for attracting celebrities and businesspeople for their vacations, has become a hotspot for secluded getaways amid the ongoing coronavirus period. As holidaymakers paid substantial sums for "zero contact" holidays, luxury villa tourism has expanded to cater to a broader audience.

These villas, which serve as an alternative to five-star hotels, are priced based on factors such as their proximity to the sea, view, size and pool type. As interest in luxury villas soared leading up to Eid al-Adha, reservations quickly filled up.

Hüseyin Gencer, a regional manager of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), emphasized the growing popularity of luxury villas among holidaymakers, stating that the sector has been growing by 10-20 percent annually.

With the Eid al-Adha holiday lasting for nine days, Gencer noted that it also marked the beginning of the holiday season, saying, "The number of reservations is higher than last year. Currently, occupancy stands at 70 percent, and we anticipate reaching full capacity in July."

Gencer highlighted the preference of holidaymakers for online reservations and revealed that those who experience a season in a villa often plan to return for their next vacation. He also emphasized the advantages of making early bookings.

Due to high demand, prices tend to increase during the peak season, according to Gencer. He stated, "Holidaymakers can enjoy a 20 percent discount through early bookings. However,...