STORY: Turks on budget turn to RV camping in times of economic hardships
DATELINE: July 5, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:39
LOCATION: Ankara
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of caravan camping areas
2. various of tourists

STORYLINE:

Türkiye is a world-renowned tourist destination for travelers, but faced with economic hardships, locals are more and more turning to budget-friendly alternatives such as motorhomes and caravans for holidays.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in caravans and motorhomes has soared in Türkiye. The nation's economic woes amid the cost-of-living crisis and the declining national currency have also pushed Turks for cheaper holiday options.

While a decade ago, the number of people interested in caravans was limited. Now demand has risen among a wide range of consumers, mostly from big towns.

As a result of this spike in popularity, some automotive companies in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir are offering rental or for-sale converted minibuses for consumers.

The manager of such a camping complex near Izmir told Xinhua on the phone that this summer it will cost a family of four in average 1,000 liras (38.5 U.S. dollars) per night in a certified caravan camp.

Hotel accommodation would cost at least three times higher according to this season's hotel rates.

While the Turkish government is forging a new economic plan to address the country's economic problems following general elections in May that saw the reelection of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the lira has continued its plunge.

Since the start of this year, the currency has lost around 30 percent of its value against the greenback, and as Türkiye is import-reliant, prices of most commodities have soared.

Türkiye's inflation was just below 40 percent in May after it hit a 24-year high above 85 percent in October last year.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.
(XHTV)