“Holiday Expenses Expected to Increase Further in 2024”
The rising cost of accommodation and holiday expenses was a major topic in 2023. Citizens are curious about the direction prices will take. Recep Yavuz, Chairman of the Antalya City Council Tourism Group and General Manager of NBK Touristik, stated on his blog that the most talked-about topic in tourism in 2023 was rising prices, with everyone already wondering, “What awaits us next summer? Will prices go down?”
Yavuz noted that 2024 prices were determined in 2023 and put on sale months in advance: “While setting these prices, the 2023 base was taken, and an average of possible increases was applied to create the new pricing. Almost every unit offering holiday products applied this method or something similar. Some proceeded with small increases, while others took risks and applied more radical increases. Very few maintained their previous prices.”
He also pointed out that it is impossible to predict how ongoing wars will evolve, how fuel and energy costs will fluctuate, and the direction of countries’ economies, or what other global developments may occur. Yavuz listed the main factors affecting prices as follows:
Increased Demand
“Over 1 billion people traveled worldwide this year. Post-pandemic holiday demand continues at full speed. Revenge travel has ended. People now travel based on life’s realities. Tourists are creating new routes according to their budgets. Every product has its buyer. Today, travel is no longer a luxury; it has become a form of therapy and a necessity. As demand grows, prices will continue to trend upward.”
Tax-Related Regulations
“The increase in travel brings heavy new obligations to holiday regions. Countries and destinations that cannot handle the crowds try to manage this through restrictions or new taxes. For example, Greece will compensate for the damages from summer wildfires by raising overnight stay taxes. Tunisia is already planning a threefold increase. Spain and Italy are also pursuing new taxes. Initially, these numbers were small—1–2 euros—but they are now rising four to five times and will continue to increase during the season. Wherever there is demand, this will become a necessity.”
Rising Airfare
“A significant portion of global travel is done by air. The cost of transporting tourists quickly and comfortably is increasingly heavy. Air travel will not get cheaper in the coming years; even small increases remaining limited will be a gift. The cost of airplanes taking off and landing is constantly rising, including airport taxes and compensations airlines pay for delays or cancellations. Fuel prices remain unpredictable.”
Inefficient Flight Routes
“Many flights take zigzag routes due to sanctions. Tourists often arrive at their destinations after long detours. For example, watch a Moscow–Antalya flight: it can descend in a semicircle along Europe’s edge without crossing Ukrainian airspace. This increases both flight time and fuel consumption, affecting both the airline and the passenger, and is reflected in package prices.”
Airport Staffing Shortages
“As traffic increases, airports struggle to find staff. Even when they do, adding employees raises handling costs. Airports with hundreds of workers operating in shifts face ongoing challenges with rising labor costs.”
High Inflation
“Since the pandemic, turbulent economies in many countries have affected the price of nearly everything. Each component of holiday packages reflects these increases, pushing overall prices upward. Those who do not revise their prices cannot maintain sustainability.”