Turkey’s tourism has received an alarming signal: a large market may turn away from it

Another alarming news has been experienced by Turkish tourism. Due to the war in Ukraine, which has been going on for the last three weeks, the demand of British tourists for Turkish resorts has noticeably subsided. At least these are the statistics of requests for Catholic Easter (April 17). According to Turkish media, a large British supplier of vacationers has found a replacement – the resorts of Spain and Portugal.

It turned out that the war in Ukraine negatively affected the demand for travel to Turkey not only in Russia and Ukraine, but also in the UK. Analytical company Mabrian Technologies analyzed search queries for travel to Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Greece for the period from February 11 to March 8 and from April 11 to May 1.

According to the data received, since the beginning of Russian military action in Ukraine, the search for flights to the United Kingdom has decreased by 30-40 percent. The situation is different in Spain and Portugal: tourist inquiries resumed in 5-6 days, which is not the case in Turkey and Greece – in these areas, reservations did not resume even after 13 days.

British tourists have reoriented from Turkey to rest in European countries

According to the Turkish press, after the start of the war in Ukraine, the number of flights to Spain and Portugal increased by 13.2% and 12.7%, respectively, while the number of flights to Turkey and Greece fell by 10.45% and 8.15%.

Also read: It became known how the war in Ukraine affected the tourism of Germany and the United States: voiced disappointing forecasts

In addition, according to the study, the British were not deterred by the fact that hotel prices rose by 17 percent in Spain and 14 percent in Portugal. At the same time in 3-4 star hotels, where mostly Russian tourists stay, the price tag fell by 4%. The cost of 3-star hotels in Greece decreased by 9%, and 4- and 5-star hotels increased by 8% and 20% respectively.

It was also clarified that hotel prices in Spain were 20% higher than in three other destinations – Turkey, Portugal, Greece – and 15% higher than the nearest competitor – Portugal.

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