Tourists ditch Spain, Greece, Egypt for Türkiye as $65 billion boom nears

Türkiye is set to see a significant rise in tourist arrivals in 2025, driven by early reservations from European travelers.

The country remains a preferred choice as competitors like Spain, Greece, and Egypt face challenges that deter visitors. Industry experts predict Türkiye will reach its target of 65 million tourists and $65 billion in tourism revenue by the end of the year.

Türkiye benefits as Spain, Greece, and Egypt face tourism challenges

Spain, one of Türkiye’s main tourism competitors, has been affected by rising anti-tourist sentiment. Reports indicate that racist rhetoric and protests targeting visitors have discouraged many from choosing Spain as their holiday destination.

In Greece, concerns over earthquakes and tsunamis have led to thousands of canceled bookings.

Meanwhile, Egypt has struggled with growing complaints about service quality, pushing many travelers to look for alternative destinations.

With these developments, Türkiye has become a leading choice for tourists seeking high-quality service and an all-inclusive experience. The slowing pace of accommodation price increases compared to the previous year has also contributed to the growing demand.

Russians, Germans, British tourists drive early reservation growth in Türkiye

The demand for holidays in Türkiye is evident in early reservation numbers. The Russian Tour Operators Association (ATOR) reported that Russian tour operators have already sold 20% of their Türkiye tour packages for the summer of 2025. This marks a 33% increase compared to the same period last year.

The vast majority of Russian bookings—around 90% to 95%—are for resorts in Antalya, while the remaining 5% to 10% are for the Aegean coast.

Bookings for May and June are particularly strong, with rising demand for the peak months of July and August. Reservations for the autumn season have also begun.

German travelers are also contributing significantly to Türkiye’s tourism growth. According to the German Travel Agencies Association (DRV), Türkiye ranks first among the top ten destinations for German tourists, with a total reservation value of approximately $1.3 billion.

DRV noted that Mediterranean destinations have seen increased demand compared to last summer. Family travelers, in particular, have played a key role in boosting Türkiye’s numbers, thanks to the variety of all-inclusive packages available.

DRV President Norbert Fiebig emphasized that, despite economic and geopolitical challenges, Germans continue to prioritize travel. “Travel remains at the top of the shopping list for Germans this year. They are booking their summer holidays even earlier than last year,” he said.

Growing interest in Türkiye from Polish, British, and Iranian tourists

Türkiye’s coastal regions are also attracting tourists from Poland and the U.K. British travelers are particularly interested in the Antalya and Mugla regions, while Polish visitors are choosing resorts across both the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.

Meanwhile, Bodrum has seen a surge in interest from Iranian tourists. According to industry representatives, wealthy Iranian families are increasingly choosing Bodrum for its blend of luxury and natural beauty.

Economic factors influence booking trends for 2025 holidays in Türkiye

The rising cost of vacations has influenced booking behavior among travelers. Intourist, a leading tour operator, reported that Türkiye’s prices in euros have increased by 20% to 40% over the past two years.

As a result, the average holiday duration has shortened from 10 nights to 8 or 9 nights. To offset costs, some Russian tourists are choosing more affordable hotels, while others are booking their vacations during the lower-priced months of April, May, September, and October.

Despite these economic factors, Türkiye’s tourism sector remains strong.