Turkey, Antalya and Istanbul are entering a changing tourism period in 2026 as inflation and higher operating costs reshape the price of holidays for international visitors. The country continues to attract travellers with Mediterranean beaches, historic cities, archaeological sites, resorts and cultural experiences, but accommodation, food and other travel expenses have increased. Official data show that Turkey’s tourism income fell 2.6% year on year to $15.87 billion in the second quarter of 2026, while the number of departing visitors declined 5.1% to 15.58 million. At the same time, average spending per visitor rose 2.5% to $1,005 and average spending per night increased 2.8% to $113. Accommodation spending increased 11.7%, while food and beverage spending rose 5.2%.
Antalya Remains at the Centre of Mediterranean Tourism
Antalya continues to be one of Turkey’s most important international holiday destinations, connecting visitors with beaches, resort hotels, restaurants, historic sites and organised excursions along the Turkish Riviera.
Resort areas including Lara, Belek, Side and Alanya offer different accommodation formats, from large all-inclusive properties to independent hotels and holiday apartments. The final cost of a trip can vary according to travel dates, accommodation category, meal arrangements and included services.
For families and couples planning summer holidays, accommodation represents a significant part of the total travel budget. Official second-quarter data show that accommodation expenditure increased 11.7% year on year, highlighting the changing cost environment facing visitors.
Istanbul Offers a Different Tourism Market
Istanbul provides a major urban alternative to Turkey’s coastal resorts. The city combines historic landmarks, museums, restaurants, shopping districts, waterfront areas and neighbourhoods on both sides of the Bosphorus.
Visitors can build itineraries around Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and other historic attractions. Daily spending can include accommodation, public transport, restaurant meals, attraction admissions and shopping.
Unlike an all-inclusive beach holiday, a city break often involves separate payments for multiple activities. Travellers therefore need to consider the complete cost of their itinerary when comparing Istanbul with other European city destinations.
The Turkish Riviera Faces Higher Operating Costs
Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris, Kaş and other coastal destinations form a major part of Turkey’s international tourism network. These resorts provide beaches, marinas, restaurants, hotels, water activities and access to archaeological attractions.
The tourism market includes both package holidays and independent travel. Official figures show that package-tour expenditure fell 5.5% in the second quarter of 2026, while individual spending reached $10.93 billion. Package tours accounted for 30.2% of tourism income during the quarter.
For travellers, package holidays can make budgeting more predictable when accommodation, meals, transfers and flights are combined. Independent visitors can compare individual services but need to calculate each expense separately.
The Turkish Lira No Longer Tells the Full Story
Currency movements have traditionally played an important role in how international visitors assessed Turkey’s affordability. A weaker lira can reduce the foreign-currency cost of individual services, but domestic inflation can increase the underlying price at the same time.
Turkey’s annual consumer inflation rate stood at 31.75% in July 2026, according to official statistics. The central bank also reported that restaurant and hotel prices increased 2.11% month on month in June, with accommodation services contributing to the rise.
For international travellers, this means exchange rates alone cannot determine whether a holiday is cheaper than in previous years. Hotel rates, restaurant prices, transport and activities all need to be considered.
Food Costs Are Becoming More Important
Food and beverage spending represented 21% of Turkey’s tourism income during the second quarter of 2026. Spending in this category increased 5.2% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Visitors can encounter significant differences between restaurant prices in major resort areas, city centres and smaller towns. Street food and local restaurants can provide different price points from hotel restaurants and premium dining establishments.
Travellers staying at all-inclusive resorts may have fewer daily food expenses outside the property, while independent visitors can choose restaurants according to location and budget.
Antalya Continues to Attract British Travellers
The British market remains significant for Turkey. In May 2026, the UK ambassador to Turkey said British visitor numbers had risen from about 3.8 million annually when she began her term in 2023 to almost 4.5 million.
The Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency also reported a 16% year-on-year increase in British visitors during March 2026, with Antalya, Istanbul, Bodrum, Dalaman and İzmir among the leading destinations for British holidaymakers.
These figures show that rising costs have not removed Turkey from the British travel market, even as the overall tourism environment changes.
Tourism Revenue Faces a New Balance
Turkey recorded $25.75 billion in tourism income during the first half of 2026, down 0.1% from the same period in 2025. Visitor numbers declined 2.7% to 24.84 million, while average spending per visitor increased 2.5% to $1,020.
The figures show a tourism market where higher visitor spending is partly offsetting lower arrival numbers. During the second quarter, travel, entertainment, sports and cultural activities accounted for 71.3% of visits, demonstrating the continuing importance of experiences beyond accommodation and food.
Turkey’s Tourism Offer Moves Beyond Price
Turkey continues to provide a wide tourism portfolio, from Antalya’s Mediterranean resorts and Bodrum’s Aegean coastline to Istanbul’s heritage and Cappadocia’s distinctive landscapes. The country’s tourism market is therefore not dependent on a single destination or travel style.
For visitors planning trips in 2026, the cost of accommodation, food, transport, excursions and activities is becoming increasingly important. Comparing package and independent travel, choosing travel dates carefully and checking the complete cost of a stay can help travellers understand the value of different options.
Turkey’s tourism economy remains substantial, but the latest figures show a market adjusting to higher domestic prices, changing visitor numbers and increased spending per traveller. The era of judging Turkey primarily through its exchange-rate advantage is giving way to a broader assessment based on accommodation, experiences, location and the total cost of a Mediterranean holiday.
