Rising Turkish tourism seen on the Greek isle of Lesbos
Tourism Boosts Cross-Border Relations Between Turkey and Lesbos
The picturesque island of Lesbos, Greece, is experiencing a surge in tourism, particularly from Turkey, as the two countries continue to strengthen their ties.
On August 1, the deputy mayor of Mytilene, Nikos Giannakas, welcomed the Turkish mayor of Balikesir, Ahmet Akin, along with 150 tourists, on the new catamaran route connecting Mytilene with Ayvalik. This marks the 11th overall route between Lesbos and Turkey, including routes to and from Izmir and Petra.
The latest tensions between the two countries peaked on July 21 when Athens announced it would establish two new marine parks in the Ionian Sea and the southern Aegean. However, tourism and cooperation on refugee and migration issues seem to be the only enduring success stories in Greek-Turkish relations.
In July, almost 29,000 tourists from Turkey visited Lesbos, and more are expected in August. This surge in Turkish visitors is part of a broader increase in Turkish tourism to Greece, projected to reach 1.4 million visitors in 2025.
The recovery and growth of tourism on Lesbos have helped revitalize the local economy and the island's appeal. Families with children from Izmir, groups from Ayvalik, and a young couple from Istanbul are among the tourists enjoying Lesbos' beaches, historic sites, and specialty museums.
The crossing from Turkey to Lesbos takes under an hour and costs €35 ($40), making it an attractive destination for many Turkish tourists. Local restaurateurs are happy with their guests from Turkey, who appreciate the food, drink ouzo, and are friendly and relaxed.
However, geopolitical and migration challenges persist. Irregular migrants are being pushed back to Turkey, and the construction of new migrant camps on Lesbos continues. Yet, tourism growth appears to support improved bilateral relations through increased exchanges and economic interdependence in the Aegean region.
In December 2023, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a friendship and cooperation agreement between Greece and Turkey. This agreement, along with the thriving tourism between the two countries, offers hope for a brighter future of cross-border relations.
In summary, cross-border tourism between Turkey and Lesbos is currently robust and growing, with substantial positive impacts on local economies and easing historical tensions, even as migration issues remain sensitive.
[1] The Guardian
[2] Anadolu Agency
[3] Tourism Review
[4] Greek Reporter
[5] Ekathimerini
- Recent international media coverage highlights the positive impact of cross-border tourism between Turkey and Lesbos, promoting cooperation and strengthening relations.
- Environmental concerns, such as the establishment of marine parks, have strained Greek-Turkish relations, but tourism and migration issues have emerged as key areas of collaboration.
- As tensions persist over migration challenges, general news outlets are keeping a close eye on the broader implications of tourism growth for political and lifestyle dynamics in the Aegean region.
- Turkey's increasing interest in travel and tourism, as evidenced by the surge in visitors to Lesbos, is seen as an important factor in optimistic assessments of future relations reported by various media sources.
