Is Kalkan Quieter Than Last Year ?

[Denners]

I keep hearing comments that Kalkan is quieter than last year.
Is this so ?
What do EKers think ?
What are bookings like this year ?
Is there hotel and rental accommodation available at the moment ?
How are the restaurants doing this season so far ?
It would be interesting to hear other people's views and impressions.
With the current exchange rate Kalkan is great value for money !

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=8192.0

[BarbH]

We came back from Kalkan last Wednesday and must say we found it very quiet in town,  All the restaurants we went to were not full except for The Olive Garden which was full.Most of the waiters were saying how quiet it was this year

The harbour  also did no seem that busy either but then most of the restaurants are more expensive normally.

Our hotel was fully booked, better than last year and we fond they had  reduced some of the bar prices.

In most restaurants prices seemed similar to last year,

We still had a lovely time as usual,

[amber]

My impressions of Kalkan this summer is - April was busier than ususal (extra uk bank hols and later easter),May and June quieter but things seems to be picking up in July.Certainly more people around in the town, in the evenings, over the last week.
There seems to be more of a mix of nationalities and there are a large number of turkish tourists here at the moment.
Shops have seen less trade and restaurants are mixed.Talking to uk tourists, a lot are being more careful with their money this holiday.So less eating out for some, a trend we have seen over recent years.
School hols starting in uk now so the usual increase of families,I am sure.
Some hotels not opening this year but many villa owners reporting steady bookings all season.Other hotels busy.
Kalkan is a wonderful place to holiday and must work hard to promote itself and present itself in the right way.

[Cuddles]

Amber said "many villa owners reporting steady bookings all season" and I query that statement.

When I was out in May and June, I spoke to quite a few villa owners of varying size properties and the general concensus was that bookings were seriously down on past years. In fact about a third of them were contemplating selling because of the lack of bookings.

[Denners]

Seven weeks ago when I was last in Kalkan, I was hearing from villa owners that their bookings were down on last year.
Arriving again this Friday. I will be interesting to see what's going on but of course we are now into the family/school holiday period...so it should be very busy.
And it's lovely and hot !

[Kalkan Magic]

I have replied to a similar post previously. As an owner, our bookings are solid from April through to October. A lot of weeks have been booked since last year as have friends of ours with similar standard property in central locations. We have also had a great number of enquiries from people since we were full that we have had to turn away.  Be very wary of relying on feedback of individual owners. The reasons for their low occupancy could be multiple, for example they could be vastly overcharging, they could have a property that is very far out, they may not be marketing it correctly - there are a myriad of reasons. Just because you have a villa doesn't mean to say that people flock to it automatically. There are a range of things to get right and each element has to be done properly and this includes the service provided to guests from an initial email, through to the property itself and follow up. In our opinion, on our last visit at the beginning of June, all the restaurants that we visited were full (admittedly most of these were established ones) and we had to book to get tables at Olive Garden, Zula, Kosk and Fish Terrace in particular.
Hope this helps

[Blue Lizard]

Certainly when we were out at the start of june it was quieter..we go at the same time each year and tend to see the same people who do likewise...some were missing!many of the restaurant/bar owners were saying how quiet it was and we didn't book a table once albeit not popular harbour sides although walking past they were half empty....the villa we stayed in had no bookings following ours for a few weeks,and some regulars had not booked this year...we know some who have children who usually go to kalkan who this year are going down the all inclusive route.....
 
we have booked Kalkan for next year!!  

[Babs]

Mr BL....who have you booked flights with for next year? I was relying on you to announce the release of easyjet flights from Gatwick! 

[Blue Lizard]

Calm down dear!!!......only the villa has been booked
 

[Enişte]

Welcome back fella - I thought the loss of Prem status and Big Eck had done for you!

[misty]

Hey Mr Lizard welcome back 

[Blue Lizard]

Cheers me dears!! ......just took time out......Nick..i was in kalkan when Judas Mc Eck walked...you probably saw me on top of the hill by the flag punching the air cheering.....misty old bean..nice to see you are still around!
 
back on thread.....as i said we have booked for next year..out of the 5 propertys we asked about availability..only 2 replied..not surprised places aren't getting bookings..this year was the same with 6 enquiries and 2 replies
we noticed that previously packed restaurants were half empty and those that didn't previously employ "outside getter inners" had done so this time.....i do hope it picks up but i fear the situation with many "crunch" wise has taken it's toll and indeed some bar owners we spoke to said the same......i seem to speak to a lot of bar owners?
 
                                   your little lizard buddy!

[Potter]

We were there the same time as BL and can dfinately agree that the place is much quieter than previous years.. BTW, Welcome back BL. Your loss is Villa's gain, bet you are gutted!!! 

[tortoise lady]

Yes, indeed, welcome back blue lizard.   We were getting worried when we hadn't heard from you.

I certainly found it rather quiet in Kalkan in June, but it was lovely and although I worry for the restaurant and bar owners who may not have quite as many customers as some years it was pleasant not to have to panic if we hadn't made a reservation for a meal.    There was always a table somewhere and we enjoyed many meals at favourite restaurants and even tried out one or two new ones.

[kalkan4eva]

OOOh BL, just PM'd you as I was starting to think you'd won the lottery and bought a nice little place out there...the lack of BL postings had me organising a search party - to Kalkan, obviously - I'll tell the sheriff there's no need for that posse afterall
Welcome back 
As we're out in just over a week, I'm selfishly hoping its not as busy as the reports suggested last August was but I do feel for all the bar and restaurant owners who work so hard. My BH will do his best to single-handedly arrest the downturn in bar sales

[tortoise lady]

I have just had a peek at the KTLN webcams and it must now be about 10.15 Turkish time and Kalkan certainly looks a lot busier than when we were there in June - so good news for the restaurants.    However, for Kalkan4ever, may not be quite as busy as it was last August which sounded almost too busy!

[Babs]

yes welcome back Mr Lizard......I'm calmed by the fact you have just booked a viila and not flights.....especially as we have exactly the same plan.....it seems there are always flights for when you want them. Maybe that's confirmation that things are not so busy? I have sneaky peeks at the webcams too.....no that's a lie.....I stare at them each day while working at home peering out of my soggy window at the wind and rain....roll on October when we get our next fix!

[Blue Lizard]

K4E.......I SHOT THE SHERIFF!!!...BUT I DIDN'T SHOOT THE DEPUTY!!sing along if you know the words......
as i left kalkan tearful bar owners were waving at me while dabbing there eyes with tear stained hankies,i can rest assured that i tried my best to uplift the kalkan economy single handedly by supping EFES..over and above the call of duty, sometimes even when i was full
 
Babs i will of course heads up you when i find EJ flights are out..anyone feel free to do likewise to yours truly if you find first.....usually novemberish
 
Tortoise lady..i saw you in June, i did shout at you but by the time you turned around i'd gone

[chickengeorge]

We have a villa up in Kiziltas, not central, but still are fully booked this year and getting enquiries for next. I've had more hits this July so far than I did all last July. So not all is bad. Maybe it's the crap weather in UK that is leading to more hits. 

[johnl]

Alas for the first time in many years no visit to Kalkan for us this year and probably not next either.Personal economic "crisis" has hit and trying to keep things going at home have to come first.We also have  friends who have had to make the same decision not to return this year.I know that six people does not sound a lot but as we always ate out that is around 84 lunches and 84 evening meals plus the drinks where money is not being spent.It only needs this to be multiplied by a few other "six people" to see that it could have a real effect on business` in Kalkan.