Sky-high meal prices deterring tourists from Istanbul, warns business leader

Istanbul’s soaring dining costs have become a major concern for both residents and international visitors, raising fears that the city may be losing its competitive edge in the global tourism market, Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) Chairman Sekib Avdagic warned.

In an interview with business-focused ekonomim.com, Avdagic highlighted the growing financial burden posed by dining out in Europe’s largest city, stating that the issue has overtaken transportation as the most frequently cited complaint among tourists.

“In 2023, the most common concern among tourists was related to taxis,” Avdagic recalled. “However, in 2024, the dominant issue has become, by far, the high cost of gastronomy.”

Avdagic emphasized that this trend poses a serious threat to Türkiye’s efforts to attract high-end visitors. “Istanbul is now an expensive city not only for locals but also for tourists,” he said. “This negatively affects the preferences of affluent, upper-segment travelers. Tax-free shopping data clearly shows that we are losing luxury tourists.”

The ICOC president stressed that Turkish cuisine remains a key cultural asset and a major competitive advantage in the tourism sector. He argued that the right strategy would involve presenting high-quality Turkish food at prices that leave a positive impression, thereby enhancing Istanbul’s reputation as a culinary destination.

“This is not just about losses in the food and beverage industry. When high-spending tourists do not come, the entire ecosystem—hotels, taxis, restaurants, and retail—suffers,” he warned. “We must approach this issue cumulatively. Gastronomy is our distinctive strength and a vital asset for economic competitiveness.”

Tourism slowdown and inflation raise concerns in Istanbul

Official data supports concerns about declining tourist interest. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Türkiye hosted 52.62 million foreign visitors in 2024, with Istanbul attracting 18.58 million of them. However, early 2025 figures indicate a troubling trend. While 4.34 million tourists arrived in Türkiye in the first two months of the year, Istanbul’s share—2.52 million—represented a notable slowdown.

In February alone, tourist arrivals in the city declined by 2.79% year-on-year, breaking a four-year streak of uninterrupted growth. The nationwide figure for the same period also showed a 5.34% decline.

Rising living costs further compound the challenge, as ICOC data shows that consumer inflation in Istanbul reached 3.79% in March, pushing the annual rate to 46.23%. According to the Istanbul Planning Agency, the monthly cost of living for a family of four has climbed to ₺87,485 (approximately $2,275), intensifying the persistent pressure of exorbitant price hikes in restaurants and other tourist services.