Despite escalating political tensions and threats of military action from Turkey against Greece, tourism between the two nations is booming. Konstantinos Koutras, Greece’s consul general in Istanbul, anticipates a record-breaking 2025, projecting over 200,000 visas issued to Turkish travelers.
“We’re experiencing an unrelenting surge in tourism, surpassing previous records year after year,” Koutras stated in a February 2nd interview with Milliyet. He highlighted ongoing initiatives to extend Turkish tourism to Greece beyond the summer months, collaborating with Greek tourism professionals to promote winter activities like skiing and mountaineering. “Greece offers a wealth of winter tourism options,” he emphasized.
The Greek consulate general aims to issue more than 200,000 visas this year, many of which will be multi-entry, according to Koutras. He recommended that Turkish tourists consider visiting popular islands like Crete and Rhodes during September or October for smaller crowds, better food quality, and lower prices, noting that these months are generally preferred by travelers without children. Koutras also observed a significant increase in Greek tourists visiting Turkey, particularly Istanbul, İzmir, and Bodrum. He added that Cappadocia is a favorite destination for Greeks, a location he himself has visited 15 times.