ANKARA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye's tourism sector is cautiously watching for a potential U.S.-Iran peace deal, which could help revive the country's war-shadowed industry just as the peak travel season gets underway.
Iran and the United States are reportedly working to finalize a memorandum of understanding on ending the war that started on Feb. 28 with joint attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran.
The two sides reached a temporary ceasefire on April 8, which helped reduce fears of a broader conflict and has brought partial relief to tourism operators across the region.
Yet industry professionals in Türkiye say the effects of months of instability are unlikely to disappear quickly, particularly after a sharp slowdown in bookings earlier this year.
Foreign visitor arrivals to Türkiye fell 9.44 percent year-on-year in April to 3.53 million, according to figures recently released by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, reflecting the impact of regional tensions and growing caution among international travelers.
"The prospect of a deal has reduced some anxiety in the market, especially regarding flight safety and regional stability," Murat Toktas, a tourism professional from the Black Sea coast, told Xinhua. "But tourism is very sensitive psychologically. Travelers who postponed holidays earlier in the year are not all returning immediately," he pointed out.
Toktas said hotels along Türkiye's Mediterranean coast had initially expected a stronger start to the season before geopolitical tensions disrupted that momentum.
"Reservations were progressing very well before the crisis escalated. Afterward, we saw cancellations, slower bookings and more last-minute decisions," he noted.
The tourism sector, one of the country's largest sources of foreign currency revenue, plays a vital role in supporting the Turkish economy, which continues to face high inflation and pressure on the national currency.
Last year, Türkiye hosted more than 60 million visitors, benefiting from strong demand from Europe and the Gulf region. Industry representatives say maintaining similar performance this year is becoming increasingly important amid persistent economic vulnerabilities.
Volkan Yorulmaz, another tourism representative from the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, said that ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran have sparked hope for the tourism industry.
"If tensions had continued escalating, the consequences for tourism across the Middle East would have been far more severe," Yorulmaz said. "The reopening of air corridors and the easing of security concerns are helping stabilize the market."
Still, he warned that the industry is not yet "out of danger" if hostilities were to restart.
"European consumers remain cautious because of broader economic uncertainty and fears that tensions could flare up again," he said.
"People are traveling more carefully, shortening vacation periods and monitoring developments closely before making reservations," Yorulmaz explained.
Kaan Sahinalp, a tourism consultant, said the potential agreement had improved expectations for the second half of the year, particularly in luxury tourism segments dependent on Gulf visitors.
"Travelers from Gulf countries are extremely important for Türkiye because they spend more on accommodation, shopping and healthcare tourism," Sahinalp added. ■