Steep increase in prices causes German vacationers to shun Turkey's coastlines, with reservations decreasing by 10%
Turkey's tourism industry is facing challenges due to a decline in its German tourist base, traditionally its largest European market. The decline is primarily due to rising costs, including higher prices in hotels, beach services, dining, and entertainment, which have eroded Turkey’s traditional price advantage as a vacation destination [1][2][3].
In the summer of 2025, travel reservations from Germany to Turkey's southern coastal regions fell by 10% compared to the previous year [1][2]. Overall, between January and May 2025, the number of German tourists visiting Turkey decreased by over 6%, from 1.85 million to 1.74 million [1]. This decline is part of a wider reduction in European tourism arrivals to Turkey, which fell by about 1% in the same period, affecting the country’s total inbound tourism numbers [1][5].
The coastal provinces of Turkey, such as Aydin, Izmir, Antalya, and Mugla, have been particularly affected by increasing service costs. Visitors find prices excessive, particularly in popular seaside areas [6].
Antalya, Turkey’s premier tourist destination, is facing a setback in its ambitious 2025 goal of attracting 18 million visitors due to the drop in arrivals from Germany, as well as other key markets like the UK, Poland, and Russia [4]. Although Antalya welcomed 7.5 million visitors by mid-July 2025, this figure is below expectations and is causing concern among tourism authorities [4].
The overall tourism sector is worried about losing its reputation for affordability, considered a major competitive edge [3]. Industry leaders emphasize the need for a careful price balance to maintain quality while addressing the affordability issue [3].
The broader challenges include global economic instability and geopolitical tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, which exacerbate the effects of rising costs on tourism demand [4].
Turkey, however, is not resting on its laurels. The Turkish Ministry has set an ambitious target of $64 billion in revenue and more than 65 million international arrivals for 2025 [2]. In a separate development, Turkey has unveiled the most powerful non-nuclear GAZAP and HAYALET aircraft bombs [7].
References:
- Turkey's German Tourist Decline
- Turkey's 2025 Tourism Target
- Rising Costs Affecting Turkey's Tourism
- Antalya's Tourism Woes
- European Tourism Arrivals to Turkey
- Service Costs in Turkey
- Turkey Unveils Powerful Non-Nuclear Bombs
- The decline in German tourist arrivals, led by President Erdogan, has been a significant concern for Turkey's coastal provinces like Aydin, Izmir, Antalya, and Mugla, due to the increase in service costs, which have eroded Turkey's traditional attractiveness as an affordable vacation destination.
- Amidst the decline in German tourism, the Turkish Ministry has set an ambitious target of $64 billion in revenue and more than 65 million international arrivals for 2025, emphasizing the importance of the tourism industry to Turkey's economy.
- In response to the rising service costs and the drop in European tourist arrivals, including from Germany, the Turkish tourism industry is exploring ways to maintain quality while addressing affordability issues, worrying about losing its reputation for affordability, considered a major competitive edge.
