Turkey has long been a favourite with Brits for its mix of stunning landscapes, rich history and affordable prices, but the country has seen visitor numbers drop
Bargain breaks and a surge in post-COVID travel have seen tourist numbers soar globally in recent years, yet Turkey is facing a tourism tumble, with visitor figures dropping rather than climbing.
Alarm bells are ringing as one of its eastern European neighbours, Georgia, emerges as a potential rival, threatening to snatch even more holidaymakers.
As Turkey strives to revive its economy and attract tourists, Georgia is hot on its heels, rolling out initiatives like enhanced public transport, new cruise ports, and international signage to cement its status as an up-and-coming travel gem. Meanwhile, economic woes in Turkey have led to its decline as a go-to budget destination for Brits, with spiralling costs and locals fleeing during peak times.
Sarah Donaldson, senior travel claims analyst at Fast Cover Travel Insurance, pinpointed ‘hyperinflation’ as the culprit behind the tourism downturn, noting to Express.co.uk that “even foreigners find it hard to justify the cost of accommodation and dining”. With inflation in Turkey hitting a high of 75 per cent in May 2024 before falling to 44 per cent by December, there’s hope that last summer’s dip in visitors is just a blip.
Mehmet Gem, a prominent figure in Turkey’s tourism industry and a representative of the Tourism Consumers Confederation (TUKONFED), recently spoke about a decline in hotel occupancy rates in Turkey. “For the first time in years, we are seeing significant vacancies in hotels for the month of July,” Gem said, according to Travel and Tour World.
Typically hotel occupancy rates during the summer months in Turkey have hovered around an impressive 90-95%. Last summer they fell to around 60%, a sharp decline that is raising alarm bells within the industry.
While many would-be holidaymakers and Turkish locals have opted for Greek islands due to high costs, Turkey’s future as a budget-friendly destination is now under threat from neighbouring Georgia. Over the past 25 years, Georgia’s tourism industry has experienced rapid growth, with developments including modern, disability-friendly bus systems, a large five-terminal shipping port in Batumi, and accessible museums, green spaces, and train stations.
According to tour guide Tariel Tabashidze from Tbilisi, the country’s growth has been hindered by political turmoil and its proximity to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. However, he anticipates tourism will reach new heights once peace is achieved in the region, reports the Express.
“Georgia is becoming more popular now with people from around the world,” Mr Tabashidze stated. “I’m taking people on tours who have got direct flights from India, and they are visiting too from Europe, the US, Australia and Switzerland. I’m not surprised — it’s a very interesting country.”
He added: “The pro-EU protests have also put some people off — I had four or five clients cancel their trips because of them, but I hope things are slowly going back to normal.”
The West Georgian native describes his homeland as “one of the most beautiful in the world”, and shares that tourists he guides are consistently awed by the striking landscapes, historical landmarks, and vibrant cultural heritage.
Among the lesser-known gems of this Transcaucasian country are the winding cobblestone streets of Tbilisi, the medieval settlements in the Upper Svaneti region, and the stunning Lake Rita nestled in the Caucasus mountains.
