Turkey’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture has flagged a potential downturn in the country’s travel sector should the opposition win the upcoming elections and sanctions against Russia tighten. A news outlet cited a department insider through TASS, emphasizing the link between political shifts and tourism dynamics.
The spokesperson warned that if the opposition takes power and aligns Turkey with Western sanctions, the tourism industry could face a serious setback. This concern arises from the belief that sanctions and policy alignment could deter a portion of international travelers and investors, affecting hotel occupancy, domestic travel demand, and overall tourism revenue. The ministry has noted a need for careful policy forecasting to mitigate risks and preserve the sector’s stability in a volatile regional climate.
Reports from May indicate that Turkey began signaling a reduction in tourist arrivals from Russia in response to announced sanctions tied to the opposition’s potential governance. The move appears to be part of broader policy positioning ahead of the elections, with officials signaling that the country would adjust its stance in parallel with its international partners. The impact on tourist flows from Russia is a key concern for destinations that rely heavily on Russian visitors and their spend in the Turkish hospitality segment.
The national elections are scheduled for May 14, with a presidential runoff if no candidate secures an absolute majority: May 28. In parallel, parliamentary ballots will determine the legislative balance. Analysts and polling firms have begun to assess how the electoral outcome might influence Turkey’s economic and tourism trajectory, including relationships with major markets and the possible reshaping of sanctions policy.
A survey conducted by ORC in mid-May surveyed 3,920 respondents across 28 provinces to gauge voting intentions and sentiment about the presidential contest. The poll projected a lead for a single opposition candidate, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, with about 51.7 percent of the vote in a first-round tally, should the race unfold according to the sampled responses. The ORC methodology involved live interviews with adult participants, aiming to capture a broad cross-section of regional viewpoints and concerns about the national economic outlook, including tourism-related variables such as travel costs, exchange rates, and confidence in the sector’s future stability.