Residents of Northern Cyprus Choose Europe: Interest in Turkey Declines

Residents of Northern Cyprus are changing their travel preferences: tours to Europe are becoming increasingly popular, while trips to Turkey are losing demand, tour operators report.

According to tourism specialists, interest in vacations in Turkey has noticeably declined, except for routes in the Black Sea region. “While many previously chose Turkey, demand has now dropped significantly. More and more tourists prefer Spain, Portugal, and Scandinavian countries,” Günfer noted.

The main reasons for this shift include several factors. First, rising airfares and tour package costs to Turkey. Second, currency fluctuations and overall economic instability make trips more expensive. In addition, tourists increasingly pay attention not only to the cost of flights and accommodation but also to expenses on-site and the quality of services provided.

According to specialists, although vacations in Europe can be more expensive for certain destinations, in general, tourists receive a comparable or even higher level of service for the same money they could have spent in Turkey. Cultural and nature routes in Spain, Portugal, and Scandinavian countries are particularly in demand.

Experts note that the consequences of these changes are already being felt in Northern Cyprus’ tourism sector. The decrease in trips to Turkey leads to a decline in revenues for companies specializing in these routes. At the same time, growing interest in European destinations partially compensates for the losses. However, tour operators warn: if the economic situation worsens, the decline in trips could affect foreign tourism overall.