Guest of the Month

Caner Coşkun

Operation Manager

Can you talk about the business processes of the Bodrum operation? Bodrum, one of the most important tourism centers of our country, has become an attraction point where the resident population has rapidly increased in recent years. In this context, how do you evaluate the added value our presence at Milas-Bodrum Airport offers to regional tourism?

Our operation at Milas-Bodrum Airport consists of a multifaceted structure covering all dynamics of travel retail. We meet our customers in a total sales area of 2065 m2, including Departure, Arrival, and GAT stores. For the upcoming season, we plan to enhance our customers' local product experience with our 138 m2 Bazaar store project. Our daily operations include many headings such as store management, stock and supply processes, monitoring sales performance, team coordination, and continuous improvement of the passenger experience. Passenger traffic, which increases significantly especially in the summer season, makes operational planning even more critical.

Bodrum is one of the most important tourism centers not only in Türkiye but also in the Aegean-Mediterranean geography. With the increase in the resident population and the rise in the international awareness of the destination in recent years, significant changes are taking place in the airport customer profile. At this point, our presence at Milas-Bodrum Airport adds value to both the passenger experience and the region's tourism perception by bringing international brands together with passengers.

Our Bodrum operation turned 10 years old last year. Can you talk about the development of the operation since its establishment? What are your expectations for the new period and the upcoming season?

Since its establishment, our Bodrum operation has shown steady development in parallel with the momentum the region has gained in tourism. The increase in the number of passengers, the development of store concepts, and the expansion of the product portfolio have been important indicators of this development. At the point we have reached today, the Bodrum operation has become one of the important centers for our company in terms of both sales performance and passenger satisfaction. In the upcoming period, we expect a stronger development, especially in the premium product segment and the experience-oriented sales approach.

With whom and which institutions are you in constant communication in the field to ensure that operational processes run flawlessly?

Airport operations require many stakeholders to work in coordination. For this reason, we are in constant communication with airport management, ground handling companies, security units, customs officials, and airline representatives. At the same time, the strong coordination we maintain with the commercial teams, supply chain, and human resources departments within the company ensures that the operation runs efficiently.

Bodrum has a highly cosmopolitan and upper-segment passenger profile. From which countries do the passengers who shop the most in your operation mainly come? How does the current situation of the main markets reflect on sales?

Bodrum has a highly international and upper-segment passenger profile. The UK citizens are at the top of the passenger groups that shop the most intensely in our operation. Besides this, Ireland, Poland, and other European countries also have an important share in our sales performance. The strong interest of Russia and Middle Eastern countries in Bodrum, especially recently, reflects positively on our sales.

What changes have you observed in the shopping habits of passengers recently? Which products are the most preferred, especially in the LTC (Liquor, Tobacco, Confectionery) and P&C (Perfume & Cosmetics) categories?

Recently, passengers' shopping preferences have been evolving towards a more conscious and brand-oriented structure. We observe an increase in interest, especially in premium products. While premium whiskeys and special edition liquors stand out in the LTC category, chocolate and confectionery products continue to see strong demand. In the P&C category, the increasing interest of Russian and Middle Eastern customers in premium brands pleases us. In addition to this, new launches and travel sets of global perfume brands attract a lot of attention.

How many people does the Bodrum team consist of? With the increasing tempo in the high season, what kind of leadership approach do you adopt to make the team's motivation and service quality sustainable?

Our Bodrum operation consists of a young and dynamic team. While we continue with our permanent staff of 35 people in the winter, our team number reaches 180 people with the increasing passenger traffic in the high season. My leadership approach is based on open communication, making the contributions of our teammates visible, and creating a team culture that embraces success together. We want the young friends who are with us during the season to provide maximum benefit to both themselves and the company with the work they do. In our communication with them, we aim to get quick interaction but at the same time for them to have a season full of experiences.

Can you share the most challenging, interesting, or unforgettable situation you have encountered operationally so far? How did you manage this process and what experiences did it give you?

Last season, on Saturday, August 17th, the airport reached its busiest passenger flow of the entire year. We also had to reach the all-time record turnover at ATÜ Bodrum on the same day. However, as the end of the day approached, there were moments when we lost our hope for the record. Our leaders who were in the field at those hours had to keep the team standing and renew their motivation. Incredible invoices started to be issued in the evening hours. When the contribution of private flights in the GAT stores was added, we broke the all-time record in the final hours. The unity and belief of the team were very valuable to us. It was an unforgettable experience for all of us in terms of pushing the limits.

How did your professional journey within ATÜ begin? What did being part of a large and international structure add to your career?

My professional journey with ATÜ began in 2019 with my interest in travel retail. I wanted to bring my luxury retail experience, which I had worked in for many years, to the ATÜ operation at İstanbul Airport, where travel and luxury meet. Currently, I am in the duty-free world at ATÜ Bodrum, and working with different passenger profiles every passing day brings a significant perspective to my career. Being part of an international structure and at the same time a company that feels like family is very valuable to me.

If you were not in the travel retail sector, in which field would you like to pursue a career?

I would probably prefer to pursue a career in a different field of tourism or the service sector. Interacting with people and doing an experience-oriented job has always been an area of interest to me.

How do you maintain your energy during the busy season tempo? What is your favorite relaxation route in Bodrum?

During the busy season tempo, I try to get in touch with nature as much as possible and create relaxation opportunities, even if they are short. Spending time by the sea in Bodrum and taking walks with my dog are among the most enjoyable relaxation moments for me.