Anticipated surge of vacationers during the Eid celebration, as per hotel owners' predictions.
Eid al-Adha Holiday Set to Kickstart Summer Travel in Turkey
Turkey is gearing up for the four-day Eid al-Adha holiday, which marks the commencement of the summer season and promises an influx of travelers. The celebration, set to begin on June 6, 2025, will see a surge in bookings for domestic and international destinations, particularly beach resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
Domestically, Antalya's districts, the Black Sea region, and Cappadocia are witnessing high demand for tours. International favorites for Turkish travelers include Dubai and Egypt. Moreover, the growing interest from Balkan countries has led to the planning of not just Istanbul-departing tours, but also trips from Izmir and Ankara.
Accommodation costs in resort towns range from 2,250 Turkish Liras per person per night to 17,500 liras. Cyprus is emerging as the hottest destination for the year, while Italy leads in reservations for visa-required European travel. In visa-free destinations, there is a noticeable uptick in demand for Egypt and Dubai.
Omer Ozkan Sakar from Setur noted that there is increasing interest in European routes, as well as visa-on-arrival options in the Greek Islands and visa-free destinations such as Egypt and the Balkans. Long-haul destinations like Thailand, Bali, and Dubai are also in demand.
Kaan Karayal, Chairman of Tatilsepeti, shared that domestic demand is notably higher for all-inclusive hotels, and cultural tours have seen substantial growth this year. The company is experiencing its highest sales in recent times, with a 40 percent increase this year. Despite being traditionally last-minute purchases, 70 percent of tours are now fully booked.
The popularity of traveling abroad continues to rise in Turkey, with Dubai and Egypt witnessing especially high demand due to their warm climates and shopping opportunities. The easing of visa-free travel has sparked growing interest in the Balkan countries, with Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina drawing Turkish tourists with their affordable prices.
In the first quarter of 2025, the tourism expenditure of Turks visiting abroad increased by 37.6 percent annually to $2.45 billion, with an average spending of $943 compared to $727 during the same period in the previous year.
The Eid al-Adha holiday is a crucial period for Turkey's tourism sector, with both domestic and international travelers drawn to the country's unique cultural landscape and historical sites. As the industry continues to grow, there is a focus on improving services and infrastructure to cater to the demands of an increasing number of visitors.
During the Eid al-Adha holiday, many Turkish travelers will likely opt for both domestic and international trips, with a surge in bookings for beach destinations and cultural tours. Particularly intriguing options include vacationing in the warm climates of Dubai or Egypt, where shopping opportunities also abound.
