Greek Islands Expect 50% Increase in Turkish Tourists Following Introduction of On-Arrival Visas

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Introducing one-week visas for Turkish tourists visiting the Greek islands is expected to lead to a potential 50 per cent increase in tourists from Türkiye to these islands next summer.
• Tourist agencies claim that current visa fees constitute a burden for Turkish tourists during international travel.
• A decision of the Greek authorities to waive one-week visas for Turkish tourists to the Greek islands might lead to a potential increase of up to 50 per cent of Turkish tourists to the islands next summer.

The move has been taken in an attempt to improve strained ties between the two countries that have been going on for several years, mainly ignited by migrant issues recently.

The decision to establish a one-year visa-on-arrival program for Turkish travellers to the Greek islands is expected to have significant positive impacts on tourism and the economy of both countries.

In this regard, Karavan Tourism Director Özgü Alnıtemiz pointed out that the Greek islands are already popular destinations for Turkish tourists, contributing significantly to the Greek economy through various means such as daily visits and cruise tours.

As tourism professionals, we are happy, but we also need to be cautious. We cannot ignore Germany’s contribution to the Greek economy. Germany has a weight in Schengen. We will wait and see.

Karavan Tourism Director Özgü Alnıtemiz

Alnıtemiz highlights that the visa fees, which can range from €120 to €200 when processed through intermediary institutions, represent a burden for Turkish tourists in international travel. In addition, he also noted that entry with an on-arrival visa at the Greek islands is anticipated to result in substantial savings for visitors.

The availability of affordable round-trip tickets between Turkish cities on the Aegean coast and the Greek islands, ranging from €30 to €80, is likely a key factor influencing travel decisions for tourists.

Recently, Greece’s Minister of Immigration, Dimitris Kairides, revealed that the visa will be granted on the spot and valid for a maximum period of seven days with single entry.

The Greek islands covered by this new scheme include Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Rhodes, Symi, and Kastelorizo. Previously, Turkish citizens had to apply for Schengen visas to visit Greece for tourism purposes, including these islands.

Moreover, based on the Schengen Visa Statistics for 2022, Turkish citizens submitted the highest number of Schengen visa applications at the Schengen consulates in Türkiye, totalling 778,409. Among these applications, 164,829 were filed at the Greek consulate, making Greece the second country with the highest number of Schengen visa applications from Turkish citizens.