1 million Turkish tourists visit Greek islands annually

In recent times, there has been a significant increase in the number of Turkish tourists traveling to Greece. Many local tourists, citing rising prices at domestic holiday destinations, have been opting for the Greek islands, often due to the convenience of visa-on-arrival programs.

As the summer season continues, trips to the Greek islands persist, drawing attention to a key difference in the tourism experience.

"Greek Islands and Türkiye Are Not Comparable"

Yavuz emphasized that comparing vacations in Türkiye and on the Greek islands is like comparing apples to oranges. He noted that the hotels in Türkiye, particularly the four or five-star ones, are not the same as those on the islands.

"Turkish tourists who visit the islands usually spend their days exploring rather than staying in their hotels. They enjoy leisurely dinners and walks along the coastlines. These are not all-inclusive tourists; they are people who prefer to explore, learn about different cultures, and immerse themselves in new experiences," said Yavuz.

1 Million Turkish Tourists Per Year

Yavuz disclosed that around 1 million Turks travel to the Greek islands each year.

"Greek Islands and Türkiye Are Worlds Apart"

Yavuz also highlighted the limited capacity and short tourist season of the Greek islands. "The islands usually open in mid to late April and close by mid-October, after which the hotel owners return to their homes in Athens. The islands can only serve tourists for about 4.5 to 5.5 months each year. The service and vacation experience on the Greek islands are entirely different from what you find in Türkiye. It's not appropriate to compare the two."

"This Is a Tourism Reality"

He further commented that this issue has been sensationalized in the media and provoked on social platforms, but emphasized that there is no reason for provocation. "The islands have always been there, and there has been an increase in visits due to the visa agreement. However, for years, Turks have been visiting the Greek islands, and Greeks also come to Türkiye from the islands. This is a tourism reality. There's nothing we need to infer from this," Yavuz explained.

"People Go to See Another World"

Yavuz also mentioned that the exact statistics for Turkish visitors to the Greek islands aren't fully tracked, with many making short day trips. "There are people who go for two or three days, and there are tourists who vacation in Türkiye and then take a tour to the islands. For example, some vacation in Rhodes and then come to Marmaris for a tour. Business operators we've spoken with estimate that approximately 1 million Turks visit the Greek islands annually. Some people go multiple times during the summer. There are businesspeople and frequent ferry travelers between the islands. But as I said, this has always been the case, and it will continue in the future. Their hotels are very limited in capacity, and the number of five-star hotels there is minimal. People go to experience a different world. These are two distinctly different products," he said.

"Cheaper Than Türkiye, But Not the Same"

Regarding the high restaurant bills shared from destinations like Bodrum and Çeşme, Yavuz said:

"As I mentioned, it's important to compare like with like. Now, if someone dines on a Greek island and says, 'If I ate this in Bodrum, it would have cost three times more,' that's not entirely accurate. These are incomparable experiences. Some things are cheaper there, such as drinks, food, and restaurants. Many restaurant owners produce their beverages at home and sell them. Even the ice cream is homemade by the owner's spouse. The prices are more reasonable compared to ours.

In Türkiye, fuel is cheaper, but taxis are more affordable compared to Türkiye. There are so many factors to compare in detail. However, I can say that hotels and vacations are cheaper, but most hotels there are not all-inclusive. Comparing an all-inclusive hotel in Türkiye with a 60-year-old four-star hotel in Greece won't lead to an accurate conclusion. It only causes frustration."