Hotels slash prices by up to 50% to fill empty rooms in Türkiye

In Türkiye, hotels facing low occupancy during the high season have introduced significant discounts under “summer offers” to attract guests.

The four-night stay cost, typically ₺46,000, has dropped to ₺31,000 due to these discounts.

Examples of discounts

Hotels are aggressively marketing these last-minute deals, with some offering up to 50% off.

• Kemer, Antalya: A hotel reduced the price of a three-night, all-inclusive stay for two from ₺18,000 to ₺12,600.
• Marmaris, Turunc: The cost of a four-night stay for two dropped from ₺46,000 to ₺31,400.

Reasons behind discounts

According to Hamit Kuk, Chief Advisor of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB), early bookings received favorable responses, but sales declined once these offers ended. High prices during July and August led to poor sales, prompting a resurgence of discounts.

Hotels adjust discount rates based on occupancy. The lower the occupancy, the higher the discount

Hamit Kuk

Accessing discounted rates

Travelers can find these deals through social media advertisements or contacting travel agencies directly. Agencies provide details on which hotels are participating in the discount campaigns.

• Booking tips: Contact travel agencies for detailed information on discounted hotels and periods.
• Group reservations: Additional discounts are available for group bookings.
• Limited-time offers: These discounts are generally available for one to two weeks, though successful campaigns may extend into August.

Industry challenges

Despite these efforts, the season remains challenging because of high inflation and operational costs. Mehmet Isler, President of the Aegean Touristic Enterprises and Accommodations Association (ETIK), noted that hotels are reducing prices to cover basic expenses rather than making profits.

Tourism operators are cutting prices to pay salaries, utilities, and loans. Profit is no longer a priority; survival is.

Mehmet Isler

Future outlook

Industry experts suggest that hotels adopt more consumer-friendly pricing strategies for the next season to avoid similar challenges.