ANKARA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- As Türkiye continues to court international visitors as a top global tourist destination, for many Turkish citizens, persistent inflation has turned summer holidays into an increasingly unaffordable luxury.
A recent survey by Turkish polling firm MetroPOLL found that only 24.4 percent of respondents plan to take a summer holiday this year, while 47.3 percent said financial constraints were the main reason for not travelling. Around 61 percent of respondents believe domestic holiday prices have risen far above normal levels.
The public sentiments are not unfounded. Despite inflation easing from the peak above 85 percent in October 2022 to around 32 percent last month, purchasing power remains severely strained, leaving many Turkish households prioritizing essentials over leisure.
"The Turkish tourism industry is experiencing two different summers," tourism professional Murat Toktas told Xinhua. "Coastal hotels are full of international visitors, while domestic demand remains much weaker than before the inflation surge. Foreign tourists benefit from stronger currencies, whereas Turkish households have spent several years struggling with rising living costs."
Toktas noted that rising operating costs, including accommodation, food, transportation, and energy expenses, have driven up prices, forcing many locals to shorten their trips, opt for closer destinations, or postpone travel altogether.
Hamit Yarar, a 46-year-old textile worker earning the minimum wage, said his family has not taken a seaside vacation for years.
"After rent, utility bills, and groceries, there's almost nothing left," Yarar said. "A seaside holiday has become something we only see in advertisements. My children ask when we'll go to the beach. I hope we can someday, but paying everyday expenses comes first."
The MetroPOLL survey also highlighted widening inequality: higher-income households remain far more likely to travel, revealing how inflation has deepened disparities in access to leisure.
Despite the current setbacks, Toktas, the tourism professional, believes domestic tourism will eventually recover if inflation continues to ease and household purchasing power improves.
"The desire to travel has not disappeared," he said. "People are simply making difficult financial choices. Once incomes begin to recover more meaningfully, domestic tourism will also regain momentum." ■
