Turkish Tourists Flock to Greek Islands, But June Sees Mixed Signals
Ayear after a record-breaking influx of Turkish visitors to Greek islands, this summer’s tourism season is off to a slower start—especially in June. While some destinations in the eastern Aegean report steady or even strong flows of Turkish holidaymakers, others are facing a noticeable decline, raising concerns about how the rest of the summer will unfold.
Visa Express Fuels Cross-Border Travel – But Not Evenly
The visa express program—allowing Turkish citizens to obtain short-term entry permits upon arrival—continues to play a key role in attracting tourists to 12 Greek islands near Turkiye’s coast. Islands included in the scheme are Chios, Kos, Lesvos, Rhodes, Samos, Leros, Limnos, Kalymnos, Kastellorizo, Symi, and newly added this year, Patmos and Samothrace.
In 2024, more than 104,700 Turkish tourists entered Greece through the visa express program alone, with Lesvos (Mytilene) and Chios leading in visa issuances. Mytilene issued 27,600 visas, followed closely by Chios with approximately 25,000.
However, despite the continued availability of the program in 2025, Turkish arrivals—particularly in June—have declined on some islands compared to the same period last year.
June Declines After a Record Year
The downturn is especially notable considering that 2024 marked a historic peak, with over 1.15 million Turkish tourists visiting the Greek islands by sea—a 93% increase from 2023, according to the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. In total, 8,629 ferry trips brought travelers across the Aegean, emphasizing the importance of maritime links in regional tourism.
In contrast, early summer 2025 shows more modest figures. Islands like Lesvos, Kos, Chios, and Patmos have all reported downturns in Turkish tourist arrivals this June compared to last year.
Lesvos: Sharp Decline Attributed to Rising Costs
Lesvos has seen one of the most significant drops. According to the island’s hotel association president, arrivals from Turkiye in June decreased by 35–40% compared to 2024. The increase in overnight stay taxes is being blamed. In just three years, accommodation surcharges have more than tripled in some hotel categories, with five-star hotels now charging €15 per night in taxes—up from €7.
As a result, even before booking accommodation, a Turkish family of four may face €320 in upfront costs for visas, ferry tickets, and taxes—making Greek islands less attractive than domestic alternatives, where Turkish hoteliers have slashed prices to remain competitive.
Chios: Mixed Performance Despite Holiday Surge
Chios, another favorite, recorded 14,462 Turkish arrivals in June 2025—an 8% decline from June 2024. However, data shows strong performance in May 2025, with arrivals up 42.5% year-on-year. During the Kurban Bayramı holiday period (June 6–9), demand for Greek island getaways spiked, with over 5,500 Turkish tourists crossing to Chios in just two days, causing long queues at passport checkpoints.
Overall, the island received 44,274 Turkish visitors in the first half of 2025, 7,205 of whom used the visa express scheme.
Patmos: Declining Traffic, Fewer Ferries
On Patmos, tourism from Turkiye has declined significantly. The island, newly included in the visa express program, no longer operates the two catamaran routes that once connected it to the Turkish coast. Local hoteliers cite navigational issues in the strait between the islands, though they emphasize that Turkish tourists remain highly valued guests.
Kos and Rhodes: Still Popular, but Slipping
Kos and Rhodes were top destinations in 2024, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors. Kos alone saw more than 340,000 Turkish tourists last year, mostly from Bodrum. However, 2025 shows a softer start. In Kos, delays and issues with the visa process are cited as a key obstacle, with local tourism stakeholders calling for smoother coordination to maintain arrivals.
Price Sensitivity and Regional Tensions a Factor
Tourism experts note that both geopolitical tensions and a widening price gap between Greek and Turkish accommodations have influenced travel behavior. Turkish travelers are opting for shorter stays—often long weekends instead of full weeks—and domestic options are increasingly appealing amid currency fluctuations and rising foreign travel costs.
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