Turkey’s tourism industry, which had set a target of $65 billion in revenue by 2025, is facing serious problems due to the ongoing protests. Political developments and unrest, which erupted after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, have caused serious disruptions to travel and tourism, putting the dynamics of this year’s tourist season in doubt. The consequences of this unrest are not limited to Turkey but are also affecting Greek tourism, especially in terms of bookings and competitive balances between the two countries.
Istanbul in turmoil
The protests in Istanbul have turned the city into a hotbed of political tension, with Turkish authorities imposing strict security measures. Roads in and out of the city have been closed, while train, bus, and ferry services have been severely disrupted. Flights to Istanbul International Airport are experiencing delays or even cancellations, affecting both travelers and tourism businesses.
Although many tourist areas, such as Sultanahmet and Taksim Square, remain open, the heavy presence of protesters and travel restrictions have led authorities to warn tourists to avoid certain locations, especially at night. This uncertainty is discouraging many travelers who had planned to visit Turkey, with a direct impact on tourism flows.
International reaction and warnings
The international community has already issued travel advisories for Turkey. The British Foreign Office is warning travelers to avoid gatherings, while the United States is advising Americans to exercise extreme caution while in the country. US and UK authorities have warned that the protests could escalate into violence, and Turkish police have reportedly used tear gas and water cannons.
The warnings could result in cancellations of travel packages to Turkey, creating an “open door” for Greek tourism as European tour operators look for alternative solutions for their clients.
How Greece is affected
The situation in Turkey directly affects Greek tourism in two main ways:
- 1. Reduction in Turkish tourist arrivals in Greece
The Greek islands located near Turkey, such as Rhodes, Kos and Samos, are recording cancellations of reservations by Turkish travelers, who under normal circumstances would visit the country for short holidays. As reported by Konstantina Svinou, president of ITEP, vice president of POX and District Governor of Kos-Nisyros, cancellations by Turkish travelers regarding stays for the immediate future have been recorded in Kos. The travel restrictions and the general uncertainty in Turkey act as a deterrent for the country’s citizens to travel abroad.
- 2. Possible increase in arrivals by European tourists
If the political situation in Turkey does not normalize soon, the major European tour operators will turn to alternative destinations, with Greece being one of the main options. Although Greek hoteliers have not yet received requests for changes to reservations, the most insightful ones are preparing for this possibility, as tourists who will cancel packages in Turkey will probably seek Greek destinations.
It is a strategic mistake to invest in the missteps of neighboring competitors
- Michalis Vamiedakis, president of Greece and CEO of allsun Hotels and development consultant of Danaos Travel, commented on the developments, emphasizing that Turkey is a commercially dangerous competitor for Greece.
“What happened in Santorini is valid for Turkey. After the initial disruption, there was a minimal slowdown in reservations, and now reservations are developing normally. Thus, in Turkey, as long as the protests subside in 1-2 weeks, reservations will continue normally. However, if the situation remains tense, the Turkish market may react by aggressively reducing prices, which could negatively affect Greece’s competitiveness, especially in the battle of tourist packages. We, therefore, hope that the climate will normalize soon. It is strategically wrong to invest in the missteps of our neighboring competitors, and we must hope for normality and calm in the wider region.”
The coming weeks will be critical for tourist flows as both European tourism organizations and travelers will assess whether Turkey remains a safe destination. In any case, the Greek tourism industry must closely monitor developments and be ready for possible reshuffles in the Southeast Mediterranean tourism market.
