Hotels in Turkey cut prices to the absolute minimum during the summer of 2025
The Turkish hotel industry is facing challenges this summer due to a decrease in Russian tourists, a trend that has not been seen in several years. According to the Russian Union of Travel Industry, the number of Russian tourists visiting Turkey dropped by about 5.2%, reaching 1.72 million in 2025.
This decline has negatively affected hotel occupancy rates, especially in popular destinations like Belek. The drop is part of a broader trend linked to economic challenges within Turkey, rising costs, and geopolitical factors limiting Russian travel freedom and disposable income.
Turkish hotel businesses are facing pressure as rising prices have eroded Turkey’s prior affordability advantage, prompting some tourists, including Russians, to opt for alternative destinations like Greece and Egypt that offer better value for money. Industry voices in Turkey emphasize the need to balance pricing with quality to remain competitive and retain visitors.
Hoteliers started the year with aggressive price hikes in anticipation of high demand and aimed to recoup losses from previous seasons. However, many rooms remained empty, resulting in expectations not being met and a need to revert to last year's prices with additional discounts and special offers. Experts in the tourism industry say that those who booked in advance may have overpaid by up to 20%.
In response to the unexpected drop in Russian tourists during the peak season, Turkish hotels are offering additional bonuses such as free upgrades, expanded meal plans, and discounts on spa services and entertainment. New travelers have the chance to find favorable deals due to the competition among Turkish hotels.
Experts attribute the market's return to last year's prices and conditions to a period of unwarranted optimism. The intensity of competition among Turkish hotels has noticeably increased, with hotels vying for the remaining tourists.
The Russian Union of Travel Industry forecasts that no more than 2.8 million Russians will visit Turkey this summer, which is 300-400 thousand less than initially expected. This forecast, combined with declines from other key markets like Germany, has contributed to hotel occupancy levels below expectations in some prime tourist areas.
In summary, the decline of Russian tourists has shifted travel patterns in Turkey’s hotel sector by lowering occupancy in key areas and exacerbating challenges related to inflation and competitiveness, prompting the sector to seek strategic adjustments to preserve tourist flow and service quality.
Due to the decrease in Russian tourists, Turkish hotels are offering additional bonuses such as free upgrades, expanded meal plans, and discounts, hoping to attract new travelers and maintain competitiveness. The shift in travel patterns has led to a fall in occupancy rates in popular destinations like Belek, as tourists are opting for more affordable alternatives like Greece and Egypt.
