Brits are said to be “ditching” a popular holiday destination as prices to visit continue to soar. They instead seem to be opting for a cheaper alternative
Brits are reportedly giving a once-beloved holiday spot the cold shoulder as sky-high prices make trips to the destination increasingly unaffordable. Reports suggest that the cost of a holiday in Turkey is on the rise, with inflation hitting the tourist favourite hard.
In recent times, disgruntled travellers have been vocal about the escalating costs, with many considering a boycott in favour of more budget-friendly sunny escapes. Now, it appears a new destination has caught their eye, as viral posts suggest holidaymakers are swapping Turkey for Albania, and they’re loving the change.
A TikTok user by the name of ahmadsquad1 shared her bewilderment in a video post-holiday in Turkey, pondering over the noticeable lack of bustle. She acknowledges the inflation issue but is curious about why certain spots remain deserted.
In her video, she queries: “So we just got back from Turkey, and [in] every single shop we went to they were complaining about how quiet it is, and how there’s not that many people on holiday and, if they are on holiday, they are broke and don’t do loads of shopping – us included, but why is it?
“Where are people going? Why is that you have stopped going? One thing we did notice when we were there was like, for example, any kind of can – whether it’s branded or local brand – they would be like £4.00. Ice cream was like £4.00. Everything was so expensive.”
She mentioned that a typical meal such as a kebab and chips would set you back roughly £8.00, leading her to wonder whether the sparse crowds are down to inflated costs. Alternatively, she suggested that holidaymakers might simply be hunting for more budget-friendly getaways.
When she invited viewers to share their opinions, many disputed her claim that Turkey had ever been the top choice for British tourists. Nevertheless, some confessed they’ve sworn off returning to the country.
One person responded: “Been going to Turkey for years, but last year was different. Inflation hit hard, prices were high, getting overcharged. Hospitality didn’t feel the same. Not surprised fewer people are going now.”
Another suggested: “Should try the Balkan countries. Bosnia and Albania are lovely and very affordable.”
A third chimed in with: “Turkey has gone more expensive now, especially in Istanbul which makes it not worth it. People are now going to Bosnia or Albania.”
Meanwhile, a fourth contributor noted: “Turkey has gone expensive and a lot of people are choosing cheaper options like the North African countries, Balearic Islands or Greek islands.”
However, not everyone was convinced by the complaints, with one person writing: “Turkey isn’t that expensive – I don’t see what everyone is moaning about.” Another countered: “Of course the tourist areas are expensive, but decent places are cheap.”
Why is Turkey becoming so expensive?
There are a few reasons why prices are said to have shot up in Turkey. Statista has offered one explanation.
The website reads: “Domestic producer price indices have been continuously rising, which has directly resulted in a price increase in all consumer goods and services. Accordingly, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in all commodity groups increased extremely since 2022.
“In the same year, the food and non-alcoholic beverages category had one of the highest inflation rates in the CPI. This particularly affected Turkish consumers, as these products accounted for the highest share of household expenditure in 2023.
“Since 2020, food prices have increased significantly around the world, and Turkey is no exception. Although inflation has started to slow down recently, food prices in Turkey continue to go up steadily, increasing by 48.6 percent in November 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year.
“It is not surprising that food inflation has not simmered down, as the producer price index (PPI) of agricultural products followed a constant increasing trend in the country over the past few years.”
Nevertheless, Turkey is reportedly implementing measures to revitalise tourism, tackling escalating costs, diversifying holiday experiences and pumping money into infrastructure. Authorities are allegedly working to curb inflation, whilst some are championing specialised tourism sectors such as wellness retreats and medical tourism.