Visa Express Drives Surge in Turkish Tourism to Greek Islands

Visa-on-arrival scheme boosts cross-border tourism

The introduction of the “Visa Express at the gate” program for Turkish citizens has led to a significant increase in tourist arrivals from Turkey to Greece’s eastern Aegean islands. According to a recent report by the Greek Embassy in Ankara, Turkish arrivals exceeded 1.2 million in 2024, compared to 877,633 in 2023.

For 2025, the forecast is even more optimistic, with projections pointing to over 1.4 million Turkish visitors, setting a potential new record.

Aegean islands seen as affordable, attractive destination

The rising cost of vacations within Turkey, combined with the convenience of the visa-on-arrival system, has made the Greek islands an increasingly appealing destination for Turkish middle-class travelers.

The Visa Express scheme, launched in 2024, currently applies to 10 Greek islands, including:

• Limnos
• Lesvos
• Chios
• Rhodes
• Kos

By 2025, the number of participating islands is expected to increase to 12, expanding access and fueling further growth in Turkish tourism.

Maritime infrastructure and joint business initiatives

The growth in tourist flows has highlighted the strength of Turkish maritime infrastructure, which significantly surpasses that of Greece:

• 67 marinas and 30,000 berths in Turkey
• Compared to 22 marinas and 8,100 berths in Greece
• Turkey also has nearly three times as many recreational vessels, according to ICOMIA data

This imbalance, however, is creating new opportunities for cross-border partnerships. Greek and Turkish tourism operators are already initiating joint ventures in:

• Ferry connections
• Yachting services
• Cruise tourism

Tourism as a pillar of Greek-Turkish cooperation

The deepening of bilateral tourism ties is becoming a key pillar in diplomatic rapprochement between Greece and Turkey. Ongoing discussions between the two governments are expanding to include:

• Agrotourism
• Medical tourism
• Sustainable development and knowledge exchange

Tourism is increasingly viewed as a mutually beneficial platform that can deliver economic and diplomatic gains on both sides of the Aegean.

Visitor statistics: 2023 vs. 2024

Turkish visitors to Greece:

• 2023: 877,633
• 2024: 1,212,495

Greek visitors to Turkey:

• 2023: 599,432
• 2024: 548,953

This growing asymmetry in tourist flows highlights Greece’s emergence as a preferred short-term destination for Turkish travelers — particularly through island tourism facilitated by the Visa Express program.

Source: pagenews.gr