Wednesday, August 14, 2024 Turkey has recently raised its departure tax for citizens traveling abroad, following reports that more residents are opting for holidays in Greece, leaving domestic hotels underoccupied. The Turkish Revenue Administration announced that the fee for international flights has surged by 233%, now standing at 500 Turkish liras (£11.61), compared to the previous rate of 150 liras set in March 2022.
The departure fee was just 50 liras between 2019 and 2022. To alleviate potential issues at border crossings, travelers can now pay this fee in advance, with an online payment option also introduced. The tax hike coincides with a noticeable decline in domestic tourism in Turkey, as many residents prefer traveling to Greece.
This trend was fueled further by Greece’s introduction of visas on arrival for Turkish citizens on April 1, 2024. Under this scheme, Turkish visitors can explore 10 Greek islands with an express visa for up to seven days. This policy has led to a significant increase in Turkish tourists to Greece, while hotel rooms in Turkish resorts have remained vacant.
The drop in domestic tourism has forced some Turkish resorts, such as those in Bodrum, to slash their prices by up to 50% for late July and early August to attract visitors. In 2023, Greece welcomed 33 million visitors, an increase of five million from the previous year, making it the 10th most visited country globally, according to the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO ). Tour.