A decision from UEFA that delights the tourism industry...

UEFA's Istanbul decision delighted those in the tourism industry. The issue of refunding the advances hotels had received from participants of the 2020 Champions League Final has also been resolved. The prepayment agreements made on a corporate basis will largely be carried over to the 2021 Champions League Final.

UEFA's announcement that the Champions League Final will be held in Istanbul in 2021 has brought relief to those in the tourism industry. With this decision, the obligation for hotels to refund the advances they had received from those expected to come to Istanbul for the 2020 Champions League Final organization will also be eliminated. The prepayment agreements made by accommodation facilities on a corporate basis will be valid for reservations made for the 2021 Champions Final.

The 2020 Champions League Final was to be held on 30 May at Istanbul Atatürk Olympic Stadium. However, the match had been canceled due to the pandemic. UEFA announced that the 2020 Champions League would be played in Lisbon in a 'Final 8' format.

Eresin: We did not want it without spectators

Müberra Eresin, President of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROB), making an assessment on the matter, stated that, as a result of the contacts they had been maintaining for some time with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, they welcomed the fact that the 2021 final would be held in Istanbul with spectators. Emphasizing that many accommodation facilities in Istanbul had received prepayments from companies and institutions such as event companies and sponsor companies for guests who were to come for the 2020 Champions League Final that was canceled due to the pandemic, Eresin noted that with the latest decision, the refund of these payments would no longer be an obligation. Eresin stated that the advances received would be offset for the 2021 Champions League Final.

“It had come up that the 2020 final would be held in Istanbul without spectators. However, as a result of the contacts we maintained with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and with the support of the Turkish Football Federation, we stated that we preferred the match to be held in 2021 and with spectators. In addition to the promotion and awareness that a match with spectators would create for the city, it will be of great benefit to tourist activity,” said Eresin, adding that around 50,000 to 60,000 foreign visitors could be expected for the final match. Recalling that the Super Cup Final was held on 14 August 2019 at Beşiktaş Vodafone Park, Eresin also emphasized that, going forward, the organization could be an opportunity for a good start in terms of business directed at the MICE (meetings, incentive trips, congresses, exhibitions) sector, which has come to a halt all over the world due to the pandemic.