Turkey, one of the most preferred destinations for Russian citizens, faces the risk of a decrease in tourist flow due to the economic difficulties, international sanctions and political tensions in Russia as 2025 approaches. TÜRSAB President Firuz Bağlıkaya pointed out that this situation may negatively affect Turkish tourism.
ISTANBUL (AA) – KÜBRA DENİZ – President of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), Firuz Bağlıkaya, said that attention should be paid to the price policy that will attract Russian guests to Turkey, taking into account both the competitive environment and the depreciation of the ruble.
In his statement to the AA correspondent, Bağlıkaya evaluated the effects of the depreciation of the Russian ruble and the US’s addition of the Union Pay card to the sanctions against Gazprombank on Russian tourists’ travel to Türkiye.
Could there be a decrease in the number of Russian tourists towards 2025?
Stating that Turkey has been the most important destination for Russian citizens for their foreign travels for many years, Bağlıkaya said, “However, as 2025 approaches, new international sanctions, economic difficulties and political tensions, as well as the ongoing sanctions for Russia, will cause tourist arrivals from Russia to Turkey. “It may negatively affect the flow.” he said.
Boeing and Airbus Parts Issue Challenges Russia
Baglikaya stated that the sanctions in the field of aviation, which were put into effect with the Russia-Ukraine war, have made the problems in the aviation sector more evident after 2 years, and said that the difficulties experienced in the supply of spare parts for Boeing and Airbus aircraft have reduced the operational capacity of the aircraft fleets and negatively affected the travel abroad of Russian tourists. He emphasized that it has become an important factor that can affect
US Sanctions Strain Russia-Türkiye Tourism Relations
Baglikaya said, “The sanctions against Gazprombank, which the US administration put into effect to prevent Russia from using the international financial system, and the blocking of the ‘Union Pay’ card in this context, is another problem. “This situation may cause Russian citizens to experience difficulties with payment and financial transactions during their holidays in Turkey.” he said.
Baglikaya: Depreciation of the Ruble May Deal a Blow to Turkish Tourism
In addition, Baglikaya, who underlined the recent increasing depreciation of the ruble, stated that the decrease in the purchasing power of Russian citizens is among the factors that have the potential to negatively affect the number of visitors from Russia to Turkey in 2025.
Baglikaya: Leaders’ Approach Can Prevent Possible Disruptions in Tourism
Noting that the Syrian issue is among the issues that may negatively affect tourism movements between Turkey and Russia, Bağlıkaya said, “However, our greatest assurance on this issue is the approach of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which always keeps the dialogue channel open. We believe that this dialogue, which supports positive relations between the two countries, will prevent possible disruptions in tourism movements.” made his assessment.
“We must take into consideration the price policies of our competitors in the long term.”
Baglikaya made predictions about the long-term repercussions of the crisis in Turkey and said that the early booking period in Russia was realized gradually, covering the 4-month period between December 1st and March 31st, and although it is too early to make an assessment of early booking demands, the table will be at the end of December. He said it might start to become a little clearer.
Baglikaya pointed out that although Russia is the most important tourism market for Türkiye, there are many important topics that will affect the tourist flow as we enter 2025, and continued as follows:
“As a country, we need to take a proactive approach and take steps to reduce losses in the Russian market as much as possible. In this context, discounts need to be made to make hotel prices attractive, taking into account the depreciation of the ruble. Currently, prices in Egypt are 35 percent below the prices offered in Turkey. Since the summer period is the low season for Egypt, with the actions they will take, it will be 50 percent more suitable than Turkey. Likewise, destinations such as Dubai and Qatar are also taking actions to attract Russian tourists. In the long term, we must take into account the price policies of our competitors.
Competitors’ Support Challenges Turkey’s Tourism Competition
Our competitors do not require visas and also provide aircraft seat support to tour operators. Therefore, we need to pay attention to the price policy that will attract Russian guests to our country, taking into account both the competitive environment and the depreciation of the ruble. In fact, we need to show this sensitivity in all markets where we receive tourists.”
Constant Communication with the 4 Major Tour Operators Dominating the Russian Market
On the other hand, Baglikaya stated that there are 4 major tour operators that dominate the tourism movements from Russia to Turkey and control 90 percent of the market, and reminded that they are in constant contact with these tour operators through the TÜRSAB Incoming Specialization Directorate.
