Greek-Turkish tourism is set to break records in 2025, according to a new report by the Turkish Hoteliers Association (TÜROB).
The forecast projects that 1.4 million Turkish travelers will head to Greece, while 800,000 Greek tourists are anticipated to visit Turkey. These figures mark a significant increase from 2024, when 1.2 million Turks visited Greece and 707,000 Greeks traveled to Turkey.
This surge reflects a growing trend in cross-border tourism, fueled by rising interest and improving bilateral relations. The findings stem from TÜROB’s recent study of the Greek tourism market, conducted in the wake of the GoTurkiye Destination Promotion Event, held in Athens and Thessaloniki.
The study highlights strong mutual interest and identifies promising new opportunities for collaboration in tourism. If the trend continues, the combined number of travelers between the two nations could exceed 3 million in 2025.
According to a report in FTN News, Müberra Eresin, President of TÜROB, stressed that realizing this potential hinges on better transportation infrastructure. “This goal can only be achieved through more efficient travel alternatives,” she noted, emphasizing the need for faster, more affordable connections between the two countries.
Transportation is critical for Greek-Turkish tourism
TÜROB’s report underscores that transportation is a crucial barrier and opportunity for growth. Recommendations include:
- Maintaining and enhancing reciprocal promotional campaigns
- Accelerating the development of high-speed train connections, especially between Istanbul and Thessaloniki
- Increasing low-cost flight options, particularly from Athens and Thessaloniki
- Promoting ferry routes across the Aegean Sea for short-haul tourism
One recent positive development is SkyExpress Airlines’ launch of direct flights between Turkey and Greece, which is helping to close the gap in affordable travel.
Most popular destinations for Greeks in Turkey
The report provides detailed insights into preferred destinations. Turkish tourists heading to Greece are drawn to popular Greek islands and coastal cities, while Greek tourists favor the following Turkish destinations:
- Istanbul
- Edirne
- Cappadocia
- Bursa
- Ayvalık
- İzmir
- Trabzon
In 2024, 1.2 million Turkish tourists contributed nearly €1 billion to Greece’s tourism economy. On the Greek side, 707,000 visitors came to Turkey, a number expected to increase significantly this year.
Greece extends visa-on-arrival scheme
In March, Greece extended a visa-on-arrival scheme for Turkish tourists planning to visit twelve Aegean islands for up to a week.
The scheme, initially signed in December 2023, offers fast-track visas for Turkish tourists and their families to visit certain Greek islands without needing full access to the EU’s passport-free travel zone.
The extension will take effect for an additional year, beginning April 1 and lasting until April 2026.
With approval from the European Commission, the program will now include two additional islands, Patmos and Samothrace, in addition to the original ten.
The commission praised the scheme’s success over the past year, highlighting its positive impact on strengthening ties between Greece and Turkey.
Since its launch in 2024, more than 100,000 Turkish visitors have been granted visas for islands such as Rhodes, Kos, Samos, Lesvos, Chios, Leros, Symi, Lemnos, Kalymnos, and Kastelorizo.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
