Holidaymakers stay away from Turkey as country next door makes bid for visitors Bargain breaks and a surge in post-COVID travel have seen tourist numbers soar globally in recent years, yet Turkey is facing a tourism tumble, with visitor figures dropping rather than climbing.
Mehmet Gem, a prominent figure in Turkey’s tourism industry and a representative of the Tourism Consumers Confederation (TUKONFED), recently spoke about a decline in hotel occupancy rates in Turkey.
As Turkey strives to revive its economy and attract tourists, Georgia is hot on its heels, rolling out initiatives like enhanced public transport, new cruise ports, and international signage to cement its status as an up-and-coming travel gem.
Sarah Donaldson, senior travel claims analyst at Fast Cover Travel Insurance, pinpointed 'hyperinflation' as the culprit behind the tourism downturn, noting to Express.co.uk that "even foreigners find it hard to justify the cost of accommodation and dining".
With inflation in Turkey hitting a high of 75 per cent in May 2024 before falling to 44 per cent by December, there's hope that last summer's dip in visitors is just a blip.
