Turkish Resorts Feel the Pinch as Russian Tourists Stay Away

A notable decline in Russian visitors has started to take a toll on shops and establishments in Turkish resorts. Locals have observed that the number of Russians arriving in 2026 is significantly lower compared to previous years. This trend is particularly evident in Antalya, where the local airport has seen a 10% drop in arrivals during the first half of the year, with only 711,000 people passing through. Hotel owners are now considering slashing prices for the peak summer months of July and August in an attempt to attract more guests. They recall that in past years, beaches and hotels were packed in the first month of summer, but this year, the scene is vastly different, with sun loungers largely empty. The head of Antalya's hotel association, Hüseyin Degermenji, has described the first half of the year as the worst on record. The crisis in the Middle East is cited as one of the reasons for the slump in demand. In an effort to fill the gap, Russians are being offered all-inclusive packages in Turkey starting from 120,000 rubles for two people, but these deals must be booked in June for travel in July and August.