Turkey’s Hotel Occupancy Hits Four-Year Low, Travel Agent Says

By early August, Turkey’s tourism season was running well below expectations, with hotel occupancy for the first half of 2026 at its lowest level in four years, an Ankara-based travel agent told RIA Novosti.

Aysenur Oztekin said the drop in foreign visitors remains the main reason for the slowdown. Ministry of Culture and Tourism data show average hotel occupancy stood at 35.4% in January-June. In June, traditionally seen as the start of the high season, occupancy reached only 45.4%.

Oztekin said the season has been much tougher than the tourism industry expected. Discounts and special offers have not been enough to fill rooms, and business owners in many regions report sharply weaker revenues. The slowdown is especially clear outside the most popular resort areas, with coastal and historical centers receiving noticeably fewer visitors in hotels, restaurants and shops.

Official statistics confirm the deterioration, she said. Many hotels are holding back on price increases and launching promotions, but demand remains weak. Domestic tourism is partly offsetting the losses, but it cannot replace foreign guests.

According to the ministry, around 2.7 million Russian tourists visited Turkey in the first half of 2026, keeping Russia the top source market, with the largest flow going to Antalya province.