Anti-refugee sentiment in Türkiye: Does it affect Türkiye’s exports into MENA countries?
The number of Arab tourists coming to Türkiye is on the decline. (AA Photo)
According to TurkStat data, exports from Türkiye to Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries declined by $9.6 billion in 2023. Additionally, there was a significant drop in the number of tourists from MENA region visiting Istanbul, Bursa, and the Black Sea regions in the same year. The decline is expected to worsen in 2024.
Middle East expert Prof. Dr. Ahmet Uysal attributes the decrease in export figures to the harassment of tourists from MENA region and attacks against Syrian refugees. “2024 will probably be worse [in terms of Türkiye’s exports into MENA region] as the harassment of Syrians, Arab tourists, students, and business people continues,” Uysal said.
Nationalism threatens Türkiye-Arab relations
Uysal also noted that such incidents undermine relations between Türkiye and Arab countries, saying, “Racists and the forces behind them are trying to drive a wedge between Türkiye and the Arab world of 500 million people.”
The decline in the number of Arab tourists visiting Türkiye has been further highlighted by incidents that received wide coverage in the Arab media. Footage of a Kuwaiti tourist being punched in Trabzon and a Moroccan female tourist in Istanbul crying as she described the racism she had suffered have contributed to the negative perception and deterred potential visitors.
Recently, a Syrian national was arrested in Türkiye’s Kayseri for allegedly molesting a minor girl, leading locals to raid Syrian neighborhoods and attack Syrian-owned businesses. This incident has intensified anti-Syrian sentiment across Türkiye. Additionally, in 2023, a Kuwaiti tourist was assaulted in Trabzon, drawing widespread outrage in the Gulf countries and calls to halt tourism to Türkiye. Some Arab influencers also urge Arabs to avoid Türkiye, citing disrespect towards Arabs.
