Red alert in Alanya tourism! Foreign tourists complain about high prices.

Despite setting new records in the number of foreign visitors and tourism revenues in the first quarter of 2024, Alanya faces a structural risk highlighted by experts: the perception of high prices.

Graphs shared by Prof. Dr. Hakan Kara and economist İnan Mutlu reveal that Turkey has become an expensive country not only for domestic but also for foreign tourists.

Record Number of Visitors, But Warning Signs of Decline

According to a graph shared by Prof. Dr. Hakan Kara based on TÜİK data, the number of foreign visitors to Turkey between January and April 2024 reached approximately 10-11 million. This is one of the highest first-quarter figures since the pandemic.

“For the first time since the pandemic, tourist numbers are falling. Tourists find Turkey expensive.”

European Record in Restaurant and Hotel Prices

Economist İnan Mutlu’s “Restaurant and Hotel Price Index,” based on Eurostat data, shows the scale of price increases in Turkey.

Prices in Turkey rose by 178% reaching 277.64 on the index based on April 2023. In comparison, Greece’s increase was limited to 12% (index: 111.70).

“Turkey is now expensive even for foreign tourists. Considering the currency hasn’t increased this much, the price rise is even more striking.” – İnan Mutlu

“Turks to Greek Islands, Foreigners to Alternative Routes”

Mutlu expects Turkish tourists to head to the Greek islands this summer, while experts emphasize that Turkey has lost its price-performance advantage for foreign tourists.

In the first quarter of 2024:

Average daily spending per person: $93 (2023: $84)

Target for end of 2024: $103

Although this increase seems positive in terms of revenue, it may lead to changes in the tourist profile and a decline in numbers over the long term.

Industry Warns: High Prices Could Lead to Permanent Losses

Industry representatives say the summer season will be decisive and emphasize that losing Turkey’s identity as a “budget-friendly destination” could push middle-income European tourists toward alternative countries.

Experts’ Recommendations:

Maintaining price-quality balance

Cost control

Support packages for the tourism sector

Developing a price stability strategy through public-private cooperation