Crisis on the Mediterranean: German tourism in Turkey collapses dramatically!

Crisis on the Mediterranean: German tourism in Turkey collapses dramatically!

Turkish tourism is facing a serious crisis. Many hoteliers on the Aegean are at risk of going bankrupt, while the expected number of visitors for 2025 not only falls short of expectations, but has also been falling continuously for months. The decline in German tourists, who are one of the largest travel groups to Turkey, is particularly noticeable. An article from Tagesspiegel describes the worrying situation that not only affects holidaymakers, but also the entire tourism industry in the region.

Current statistics show that the number of tourists has fallen by three percent compared to the previous year. This trend is particularly evident in July, where visitor numbers fell by five percent for the third time in a row. For many hoteliers the situation is unbearable. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the Turkish tourism minister, had promised a record 65 million visitors for 2025, but experts believe this number is unattainable. They hope to reach last year's mark of 62.3 million, but that seems difficult under current conditions.

Economic challenges

The authoritarian policies of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and high inflation of 70 percent are putting an enormous strain on the tourism industry. This means that hoteliers are forced to increase euro prices to cover rising wages and energy and food prices in lira. Burhan Sili, chairman of the Alanya Tourism Managers Association, predicts a year without profit in 2025. These rising costs have robbed Turkish tourism of its competitive advantage over popular Mediterranean destinations such as Egypt, Greece and Spain.

An example of the precarious situation in the industry is shown by a large beach hotel operator in Antalya, which filed for bankruptcy. In Bodrum, two tourism entrepreneurs took their own lives under immense debt pressure. Hoteliers are forced to offer rooms at heavily discounted prices, which is described as a vicious circle and threatens the credibility of the industry. Hakan Saatcioglu, chairman of the POYD hotel association, warns that such discounts could have disastrous long-term consequences.

Downward spiral and future prospects

The booking situation for the coming months remains tense. An inspection trip to Antalya revealed hotel occupancy of just 60 percent, indicating a significant decline. Melanie Törün, a travel agency owner, sees Turkish tourism in a dangerous downward spiral and calls for new strategies that go beyond cheap tourism. Early bookings for next year could be in serious jeopardy, further adding to concerns in the industry.

Overall, it is clear that Turkish tourism is currently caught in the maelstrom of political decisions and economic challenges. Hoteliers and professionals in the industry urgently need to find innovative solutions to sustainably reform tourism and make it attractive again.