Brits have been told “don’t come” to a popular holiday destination, as prices at the hotspot have been getting “out of control”. It comes after tourists have warned of the worrying prices at the country’s airports – but it doesn’t end there. Many think the cost to visit the popular destination has become “extortionate”, and are vowing to boycott for good.
It comes after a travel blogger called Sabrina, known as Sabrina Escapes on TikTok, created a video showing how expensive it is to visit Antalya Airport, in Turkey. She said people have told her the prices there are “crazy”, so she decided to do some research.
She discovered that a Big Mac Meal, at McDonald’s, would have set her back around £18.00 for a large meal. She also priced a dessert, and discovered that it would cost her nearly £5 for an ice cream.
Sabrina did note that not everything was overly expensive, but the food seemed to be. The video has caused dozens of people to comment and share their thoughts.
Many think the prices at the destination have got “out of control”, and this is an issue that’s been raised before. Some say the rising prices are driving people away.
One person, who appears to be located in Turkey, said: “Disgusting. Don’t bother coming.” Another added: “Turkey airports are a complete rip off. It’s a shame, as it puts people off going there.”
A third replied, saying: “Crazy work. Boycott Turkey.” Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “Extortionate price at airports. We just got back from Istanbul and the prices were crazy.”
However, not everyone agreed. Some said people should look at the cost before they travel, and decide if they think some places are too expensive for them.
Someone said: “I don’t get people who complain about the price on holiday. If you can’t afford it, don’t go. You are there to enjoy yourself.”
Another also added: “I was there last week. It was so crowded there. People like to be charged.”
Why is Turkey becoming so expensive?
There are a few reasons why prices are said to have shot up in Turkey. Statista has offered one explanation.
The website reads: “Domestic producer price indices have been continuously rising, which has directly resulted in a price increase in all consumer goods and services. Accordingly, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in all commodity groups increased extremely since 2022.
“In the same year, the food and non-alcoholic beverages category had one of the highest inflation rates in the CPI. This particularly affected Turkish consumers, as these products accounted for the highest share of household expenditure in 2023.
“Since 2020, food prices have increased significantly around the world, and Turkey is no exception. Although inflation has started to slow down recently, food prices in Turkey continue to go up steadily, increasing by 48.6 percent in November 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year.
“It is not surprising that food inflation has not simmered down, as the producer price index (PPI) of agricultural products followed a constant increasing trend in the country over the past few years.”
However, it’s said Turkey is taking steps to help boost tourism, including addressing rising prices, making tourist offerings more diverse and investing in infrastructure. The Government is said to be working to reduce inflation, and some people are also promoting niche tourism areas like spas and health care.