Tourist flow to Turkey has decreased due to rising prices and US military actions against Iran

The number of tourists arriving in Turkey has decreased due to the "colossal" price increases, as well as the proximity of military operations in the Persian Gulf. This was reported by Bloomberg on August 29, citing data from the country's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The total number of tourists arriving in the country decreased by 3.6% year-on-year in May, by 4% in June and by another 0.3% in July, the report said. At the same time, the largest decrease is observed among European tourists. In particular, the number of British arrivals in July fell by 11% year-on-year compared to 2025.

The article notes that, in addition to foreign tourists, Turks also choose other cheaper countries for holidays. According to the latest data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute, the number of domestic tourist trips in 2025 decreased for the first time since 2020.

"Previously, many people considered Turkey to be a cheap vacation destination. This is no longer the case," Tony Basoglu, the owner of a villa rental company in Antalya, told the agency.

One of the reasons for the decrease in tourist flow was Ankara's monetary policy, which supports the rate of depreciation of the lira below the inflation rate. Among other factors, local tour operators highlight the fears of tourists due to the ongoing US military operation against Iran.

"The season didn't start easily. The business started to gain momentum only in July," said Emre Narin, vice chairman of the Turkish real estate management company.

He added that the conflict in the Middle East, which broke out "in the midst of the early booking period," aggravated the situation.

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On August 1, Turkish tourism industry representative Deniz Kashir said that the increase in the cost of holidays in Turkey affects travelers' preferences: instead of hotels, they are increasingly choosing apartments and private homes. According to her, the published statistics indicate not even a decrease in interest in holidays in Turkey itself, but a change in consumer habits.