Turkiye's Southern Coasts Experience Unseasonable Tourism Activity

Strategic Insights -

Turkiye's southern Mediterranean and Aegean coasts are witnessing strong tourism activity, defying the conventional end of the peak holiday season. The region is reporting high hotel occupancy and crowded beaches, thanks to favorable autumn prices, early reservations, and ideal weather conditions. Resorts in Antalya, the country's tourism capital, are filled with both foreign visitors and residents, who are enjoying water sports, sunbathing, and swimming in sea temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius.

Key Takeaways:

  • The southern province of Antalya's sea temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius, attracting both foreign visitors and residents to its famous beaches.
  • The town of Alanya has shifted its crowds almost entirely to international tourists with the start of the school year, and its famous beaches are filled with holidaymakers well into September.
  • In the Aegean province of Aydin's touristic Kusadasi, hotels report 80 percent occupancy in September and October, supported mainly by visitors from Germany and the U.K.
  • Turkish Hoteliers Federation reports that five-star resorts charge between 4,000 to 8,000 Turkish Liras ($96 to $193) per person per night, while smaller facilities offer stays for 1,500 to 2,000 lira ($36 to $48).
  • Kusadasi is maintaining its position as Turkiye's leading cruise port, welcoming 400 cruise ships and about 679,000 passengers between January and August, a 30 percent increase from last year.
  • The total number of passengers for the year is expected to reach 1 million by the end of 2025.
  • In the southwestern city of Mugla's Bodrum, hotels are more than 80 percent booked, with the tourist district hosting 775,000 foreign visitors in the first eight months of the year.
  • Bodrum shops for nearly 60 percent of sales came from early reservation period, described as key to maintaining tourist flow.
  • September offers more affordable prices compared to peak season, and hotel bookings remain strong.

Statistics:

  • Sea temperatures in Antalya are around 30 degrees Celsius.
  • 80 percent occupancy in Kusadasi hotels in September and October.
  • Five-star resorts charge between 4,000 to 8,000 Turkish Liras ($96 to $193) per person per night.
  • Small hotels offer stays for 1,500 to 2,000 lira ($36 to $48).
  • 679,000 passengers welcomed in Kusadasi between January and August.
  • 30 percent increase in cruise passengers in Kusadasi compared to last year.
  • 400 cruise ships welcomed in Kusadasi between January and August.
  • 1 million passengers expected in Kusadasi by the end of 2025.
  • 775,000 foreign visitors in Bodrum in the first eight months of the year.
  • Nearly 60 percent of Bodrum sales came from early reservation period.

Sources:

  • Anadolu Agency
  • Turkish Hoteliers Federation
  • Local hoteliers' association in Bodrum
  • Omer Faruk Dengiz, chairman of the local hoteliers' association in Bodrum