The two countries are establishing themselves in the hearts of travelers this summer, attracted by a diverse cultural and seaside offer, but also or even above all by an advantageous quality-price ratio.
“We truly lived like queens.” On the phone, Camille still smiles from the vacation she spent in Turkey last August, with her three friends. “Everything went very well. Usually, we aim for Spain or Italy during the summer, but we wanted to go further afield, without spending a lot.” Including return flights from Paris to Istanbul, an internal flight to the Göreme region, accommodation and on-site expenses, the young student, then aged 23, paid 1,300 euros for two weeks. “We paid the same amount as in previous years, but for a more exotic trip”, she tells us. On site, the group dares to have fun, between five days in the region of Gorëme, famous for its rock sites of Cappadocia and its hot air balloon flights, four days in Fethiye, to enjoy the beaches, then a week in Istanbul.
On the accommodation side, the (nice) surprise is there. “In the Gorëme region we paid 100 euros per person for four nights including breakfast, even though it was really luxurious. There was a swimming pool on the roof of the hotel and a view of the hot air balloons”, she remembers with wonder. Same observation for on-site activities. “We went horseback riding at sunset, quad biking, we flew in hot air balloons… Apart from this last activity, which was quite expensive – 200 euros – the rest cost us between 30 and 40 euros each time, on average”continues the young woman, who had planned her trip nine months previously. “In Turkey, we wanted to do activities that we could not have afforded in another country, like Spain or France.”
Türkiye, star of low prices
art_of_line – stock.adobe.com
Along with Albania, Turkey stands out as one of the great summer destinations. If the classics Greece and Spain continue to occupy the top of the ranking in the hearts of French tourists, the two countries stand out for this new summer season. “In Turkey, we are achieving an increase of 30% in the number of customers compared to 2023”reveals Cécile Revol, general manager of Sunweb France, specialist in all-inclusive stays. “It’s a destination that offers excellent value for money: between 500 and 600 euros per week per person.” Professionals make no mistake: “the economic argument” partly explains “the success of the southern coast of Turkey around Antalya, where hotel searches are up 30%”, notes the reservation site Expedia.fr.
The tour operator TUI France has relaunched the destination by offering stays in clubs and hotels, in Antalya, Istanbul and Bodrum, with its TUI Musement offer. And success seems to be there: “We returned cautiously to the destination and we are very satisfied”, observes Christophe Lavail, director of holiday clubs (Clubs Lookéa, Clubs Marmara) and TUI Sélection. Even if, for the tour operator, inflation, even hyperinflation, has also affected the country: “the average price is 720 euros per person per week for an all-inclusive package with plane, transfer, seven nights at the club and entertainment. Before Covid, the average rate was between 400 and 500 euros per week.. Nothing to discourage tourists, however. “Turkey is the fifth biggest destination for us this summer, behind Greece, Spain, Tunisia and Egypt”announces Cécile Revol (Sunweb France).
Albania, an alternative to Croatia
Turkey, the only queen of low-cost holidays? In recent years, Albania has also established itself as a safe bet for some French people. In 2022, Nathalie and her companion fly to this small Balkan country. At the time, she discovered a destination still little known to tourists. “For 10 days, it cost us 400 euros, including plane tickets and accommodation”, she remembers. On site, the prices defy all competition: between 20 and 40 euros per night for a hotel room with sea view and breakfast included; between 7 and 10 euros a dish in the restaurant. “I know we were lucky because we left in September and the country wasn’t as popular with tourists. The following year, two friends of ours went in August and got double that.”
« It is no longer a low cost destination. The week at 500 euros is over”
Bérenger Thibaut (Albania Holidays)
An increase in prices confirmed by Bérenger Thibaut, founder and director of the Albanie Vacances travel agency. “It’s no longer a low-cost destination. The 500 euro week is over. Now, during July and August, a double room in a nice hotel costs between 100 and 150 euros a night. Everything has increased by between 20 and 30%.” The Albanian Ministry of Tourism is now focusing on more high-end tourism. The fact remains that the country – with its rich seaside and cultural offerings with unparalleled Greco-Roman sites (including the Butrint national park, opposite Corfu) and towns with an Ottoman identity (Berat and Gjirokastër) – is the one of the big stars of this summer. Expedia.fr notes a 25% voucher on flight searches for the capital Tirana and 35% for hotel stays.
Despite this increase in prices, the country remains a good alternative to Croatia. “For this summer, we recorded a 50% increase in the number of customers compared to last year”, notes Grégory Gérard, production director for Nouvelles Frontières, TUI France brand. The company offers in particular accompanied tours that go to the south of the country, but also road trips that go from the north to the south, along the Albanian coast. For this last offer, count from 811 euros per week per person. “It’s still not very expensive compared to the rest of Europe”, continues Grégory Gérard. Enough to achieve saturation of the destination for this summer? In 2023, the Balkan fortress welcomed more than 10 million travelers and could well break its record this year.
