A total of 1,153,727 Turkish tourists travelled from Türkiye’s ports to Greek islands in 2024, on 8,629 ferry routes, accounting for a total 93 per cent increase compared to the figures from the previous year.
Ships departing from the ports of Izmir, Bodrum, Ayvalik, and Marmaris among others, brought in Greece a large number of Turkish tourists, with the most popular month being August with a total of 296,980 tourists from Türkiye, Schengen.News reports.
The surge in the number of Turkish visitors to Greece comes following the visa-on-arrival scheme that became effective on April 1, 2024, in a bid to facilitate the travel process for short-term stays for Turkish nationals.
Local media reports in Türkiye indicate that the trend is related to the increase in prices in famous Turkish destinations, therefore Turkish nationals are choosing Greece instead.
“We Made Greece Rich”
Some local reports in Türkiye, such as Daily Sabah said “We made Greece rich” or “We have benefited Greece, one of our competitors in tourism, by 10 per cent,” referring to the influx of Turkish nationals to Greece.
According to some local media reports, the high cost of holidays in Türkiye is turning tourists towards the Hellenic Republic, in spite of the fact that “Türkiye has the same sea and sun”, but the increases in accommodation, food and drink prices make Greece more attractive.
The figures for 2024, concerning the number of Turkish visitors to Greece, have raised concerns among Turkish tourism entrepreneurs. The media is hoping that the tourism industry in Türkiye has learned its lessons and reduced prices in order to attract a larger number of domestic tourists.
Last year, in addition to the Hellenic Republic, Turkish tourists also chose several other countries to spend their holidays. According to local media reports, in 2024, a total of 185,892 passengers travelled to Northern Cyprus, a total of 6,467 to Russia, 5,823 to Lebanon as well as 4,645 to Romania.
Over 100,000 Express Visas Issued
Greece’s Minister of Shipping, Christos Stylianidis, last year revealed that for a period from April 1, 2024, until November 2024, more than 100,000 express visas were issued to Turkish tourists travelling to Greece.
Unveiling the new figures, the Minister considered the scheme very successful. Through this program, nationals of Türkiye are eligible to travel to Greek islands for short-term stays without being obliged to apply for a Schengen visa at first by only holding a single-entry permit at a cost of €60.
