Panic in Turkey as tourists abandon country – hotels slash prices

Holiday resorts in Turkey are being forced to slash prices amid a drop in tourist demand, according to reports. The peninsula, which straddles Europe and West Asia, has long been a popular destination for international holidaymakers thanks to its Mediterranean coastline, ancient ruins and lively culture.

Tourism to cities including Istanbul and Antalya has taken a hit from regional instability, including the Iran war and high local inflation in recent months, however. Those still opting to enjoy Turkey’s balmy summer temperatures are also increasingly making “late bookings”, injecting volatility into the country’s leisure market, officials warned.

Mahmut Dalaman, a representative of the Association of Tour Operators of Turkey, said uncertain projections of trade in the coming months have forced hoteliers to slash costs and develop “flexible” pricing policies, fluctuating according to demand.

Mr Dalaman told the Logos Press: “International demand has become extremely sensitive to the news background.

“This forces hoteliers to turn to tactics of quick discounts and short-term promotions in order not to lose loads.”

Security concerns driven by regional conflict, coupled with soaring domestic inflation and high prices has seen a growing number of visitors choose all-inclusive packages with minimal travel outside hotels, the news outlet reports.

The trend has dealt a blow to tourism-related businesses including restaurants and street traders, which traditionally depend on holidaymaker flow.

Three in four UK tourists said they believe countries including Turkey and Greece will become too hot to visit within the next five years, potentially dealing a further blow to economies that are heavily reliant on international spending.

Garry Nelson, head of corporate affairs at the firm, said: “Europe has been hit by extreme hit for a number of years now during the summer months – and climate change could see different travel trends in the future, as more people consider countries that have cooler climates.”