Turkey tourism faces declining revenues and rising restaurant costs

Turkey's tourism sector is facing a complex economic landscape. Data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) indicates that in the second quarter of 2026, tourism revenue decreased by 2.6% year-on-year to $15.9 billion, while visitor numbers fell by 5.1% to 15.6 million people.

In the restaurant industry, rising operational costs—including rent, food, personnel, energy, and logistics—are squeezing profit margins. Ebru Koralı, Chair of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce 17th Restaurant and Food-Beverage Services Professional Committee, noted that while tourism movement remains vital, businesses are prioritizing sustainability against rising costs over mere customer volume.

Simultaneously, consumer trends show a focus on value. An Etstur research report on the most popular economic hotels for August 2026 highlights high-performing all-inclusive facilities in Antalya and Muğla. The Panorama Hotel in Alanya led the rankings with a 9.3 score, followed by Grand Paşa Hotel in Marmaris.