The Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALTAV) has designated "Healthy Aging" tourism as the main theme for 2026, in line with its goal of diversifying tourism and spreading it throughout the year. The Foundation plans to expand the work it started in sports tourism in 2025 into areas such as tourism for over-60s, active aging, and geriatric tourism in the new period.

ALTAV believes that Alanya's mild climate, long hiking season, sports facilities, and health infrastructure offer significant advantages for this goal, and aims to position the city as a health-focused destination in the international market.

New period roadmap discussed

During the vision meeting organized by ALTAV, discussions were held on how Alanya could be transformed into an international attraction center for healthy aging tourism. The meeting addressed the development of products for visitors over 60, strengthening cooperation between the health and tourism sectors, and promotion strategies to be pursued in international markets.

The meeting was attended by ALTAV Chairman Abdurrahman Açıkalın, Alanya Touristic Hoteliers Association Chairman Cem Özcan, academics, tourism investors, hotel managers, representatives of healthcare institutions, and industry stakeholders.

2027 and 2028 themes also determined

ALTAV has determined promotion themes not only for 2026 but also for subsequent years. Accordingly, ecotourism and gastronomy tourism will be prioritized in the 2027 and 2028 periods.

Through this approach, the Foundation aims to diversify Alanya's sea, sand, and sun tourism-based structure and create a more sustainable destination model that appeals to different visitor groups.

Participation in two fairs planned in Stockholm

ALTAV Chairman Abdurrahman Açıkalın announced that they would participate in two fairs to be held in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, in October and November, as part of the new vision.

"When we took office in 2024, we put forward a strong vision to diversify our tourism beyond the classic sea, sand, and sun tourism. We implemented sports tourism, the first step of this vision, with concrete projects in 2025. By hosting major organizations such as beach volleyball, beach handball, AirBadminton, and beach soccer at our international beach sports facility, known as '23 Projects,' which we brought to our city, we gained significant momentum. We will soon initiate our efforts in cycling tourism as well," he said.

Açıkalın stated that they have started taking concrete steps in line with the goals set for 2026: tourism for over-60s, healthy aging, and geriatric tourism.

"In the upcoming October and November, we will participate in two important fairs in Stockholm, Sweden. Before these fairs, we held a well-attended and highly productive strategy meeting with our university representatives, tourism investors, and hotel owners to determine what steps we need to take," he said.

Sports tourism provided year-round activity

Sports tourism, which ALTAV placed at the center of its 2025 promotion strategy, aims to create year-round tourism activity in the city. Thanks to national and international tournaments, alternative sports events, and camping demands, Alanya is targeted to become a preferred destination during the winter period as well.

Following the momentum gained in beach sports, new areas such as cycling tourism are also planned to be included in promotional activities.

Target: visitors seeking active and healthy living

The new strategy is not solely based on a treatment or hospital-focused health tourism approach. ALTAV aims to reach visitors, especially those over 60, newly retired, who wish to stay active and age healthily, by centering its approach on "living healthily before getting sick."

Work is underway on an active lifestyle model that will combine elements such as cycling, yoga, swimming, sports, social participation, and productivity. The city's robust public and private health infrastructure is also planned to be positioned as a reassuring support element for visitors.

ALTAV aims for Alanya to secure a sustainable share of the growing global market in healthy aging tourism by establishing the right collaborations at international fairs. Image: © AI-generated illustration