A record number of Turkish tourists are expected to visit Greece this year. An estimated 1.4 million Turkish holidaymakers are predicted to visit their neighbouring nation – an increase of 200,000 (around 16%) from last year.
The number of Greek visitors is also expected to rise from 707,000 in 2024 to around 800,000 in 2025 (an increase of approximately 13%). The often strained relationship between Greece and Turkey is well-documented but travel website, Travel and Tour World, reports the surge in Turkish tourists is reshaping the landscape of cross-border tourism and reflects growing momentum in bilateral travel. Both Turkey and Greece are popular with UK tourists, welcoming millions of Britons every year attracted to warm weather, good food, sandy beaches, rich culture and more.
The new figures are from a report by the Turkish Hoteliers Association.
It identified a number of ways tourism figures between the two Mediterranean nations could be boosted further, including more low-cost flights and high-speed trains, particularly between the major cities of Istanbul and Thessaloniki.
The report also found potential growth in cruises and faith-based tourism, according to Travel and Tour World.
It said Turkish tourists favour Greece’s famous islands, such as the volcanic Santorini and Mykonos, as well as the capital Athens.
Meanwhile, the cultural hub of Istanbul, Cappadocia which is famous for its hot air baloons and the coastal city of Izmir were identified as top destinations in Turkey for Greeks.
It comes as a record number of British vistitors to Turkey are expected this year.
Britain’s envoy to Ankara told Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency that five million Brits are expected to visit.
Jill Morris said: “One of the things that has struck me this year is the continuing growth in the numbers of British visitors who are coming to Türkiye (the Turkish spelling for Turkey).
“In 2023, there were 3.3 million, last year four—and—a—half million. And we may be looking at another record year of 5 million British visitors to Türkiye.”
She said the expansion of the Antalya Airport, which is a popular place to fly into for British tourists, would lead to an increase in visitor numbers.