Turkey, which for so long has been one of the favorite destinations for holidaymakers and sightseers, now experiences worrying losses in tourism as fear about safety and rising costs discourages ever greater numbers of tourists. Following several alerts regarding traveling in Turkey having been issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the United States Department of State, overseas visitors are deserting the nation in mass numbers or curbing their holidays. Such shifts in tourist opinion arrive in the aftermath of broader concerns regarding political upheaval and rising costs, and tourists and native commerce alike are paying the price.

The March 2025 advisory for travel came in response to violent protests and unrest, particularly about the jailing of Istanbul’s mayor, which had fueled violence in over 55 provinces. The UK’s FCDO specifically advised against traveling in areas 10 km or nearer the Turkey-Syria border as well as in Hakkari Province, which touches Iraq and Iran. It further indicated caution about safety in the area surrounding Mount Ararat, which had been placed under a cordon by the military. For the average tourist, all these warnings evoked fear and insecurity and therefore ensured they evacuated the country in quick haste.

Escalating Costs and Safety Concerns Deepen the Crisis

In addition to the safety issues, tourists are now also contending with unwarranted increases in traveling expenses. As inflation has affected the hospitality and transportation industry, hotel prices have skyrocketed, and even basic items have now become pricey. Tourists are having to pay several times as much as before, and there are reports of certain hotels re-classifying their services during stay, thus raising prices for unsuspecting tourists.

In addition to price pressures, there have also been reports of bogus booze, and the FCDO has advised caution following several deaths in connection with risky alcoholic beverages. This is another contributor to the anxiety felt by foreign travelers, particularly Brits, originally drawn by the low-cost luxury and cosmopolitan lifestyle that Turkey promised. Stiffer prices, together with safety concerns, have witnessed the choice destination change for tourists, with many now turning to safer and reliable spots such as Greece and Cyprus.

Government Direction and Impact on Tourists

This advisory by the government has a double effect: discouraging risky traveling and ensuring that tourists are aware of the risks entailed in traveling despite the government’s advisory against traveling there. The FCDO has ensured that traveling despite these advisories may invalidate travel insurance, and tourists will be vulnerable financially and to the law. Even the United States Department of State has provided guidelines warning American tourists of remaining vigilant, registering themselves in the embassy, and adhering to the locals’ advice.

Numerous tourists, especially retirees and families, made tough choices in cutting short their vacations. One Londoner, now holidaying in Antalya, told, “We feel trapped—if prices skyrocket overnight or unrest begins, we have to go back.” This is what has been experienced by so many as they think twice about safety and their bankbooks.

Regional Impact on Turkey’s Tourism Industry

The tourism-dependent enterprise in Turkey is hit hardest by the disruptions and cancellations. Reports show hotel occupancies have seen as much as 40% in cancellation rates, which has had an after-shock effect throughout the tourism economy. Restaurants, tour services, transportation services, and street vendors are impacted as the foreign tourists cancel or leave early. One Istanbul café proprietor reported, “Vendors are calling off orders as beachfront tables sit cold,” which represents the immediate impact experienced by small, locally owned business establishments that are financed wholly or in major part through foreign tourists’ visits.

In spite of the challenges, the Turkish government still has safety and economic recovery as priorities through various endeavors. But as traveling behavior continues to be dictated by both political events and rising costs, long-term recovery in Turkey’s tourism sector may be dependent upon something other than government efforts.

The Expatriate Experience: Between Uncertainty and Commitment

For expats in Turkey, things are equally bewildering. Caught between safety concerns and allegiance to their adopted home, most expats are apprehensive. One British expat penned, “We love the place, and hate to go, but not when police are battling crowds in front of our doorstep.” Since there is still so much uncertainty regarding the political environment in Turkey, even natives are considering whether it’d be best to stay or go and take temporary asylum in safer soil.

Tourism Recovery: What lies ahead?

Even with these drawbacks, there can be some optimism about the recovery of the Turkish tourism industry. Government advisories in the US and UK are temporary, and when the political environment becomes stabilized, tourists may come back. But this revival will be dependent on several factors, some of which are the ability of the government in Turkey to tackle safety issues, ensure political stabilization, and cope with inflationary pressures in tourism tariffs. If there are no efforts in this regard, tourism can remain behind the pre-pandemic boom.

Meanwhile, tour operators and travel agencies are diverting tourists elsewhere, and Turkish tour operators are suffering as they handle fewer bookings. As one tour operator puts it, “We are getting fewer tourists, and the tourists that do come are so much more careful about their itinerary.”

The Way Forward: Revitalizing Trust in Turkey’s Tourism Industry

In the coming days, Turkey’s tourism industry will have to strive towards rebuilding confidence in foreign tourists. Stabilization in prices, improved traveling conditions, and a clear government message will be instrumental in drawing tourists back. There remains, though, some work to do in terms of addressing what was ultimately causing the decline, but through time, hard work, and emphasis on promoting sustainable means of tourism, Turkey can still re-establish itself as one of the globe’s leading destinations.

Final Thoughts
Real Lives Behind the Data Behind the numbers and travel advisories are real people: families shortening vacations, business owners struggling with cancellations, and tourists weighing their safety and willpower for sightseeing. For the tourism industry in Turkey, the work is as much about overcoming political instability and rising costs as it is about making certain that future visitors can once again enjoy the warmth, culture, and energy that in the past made the country a top destination. For now, the tourism industry stands at a crossroads, as safety, economy, and government dictate all factors into deciding the future of traveling in Turkey.

(Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, U.S. Department of State, Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Turkish Statistical Institute.)