British holidaymakers are turning their backs on a once-favourite destination as reports of soaring costs and near-empty airports circulate online. Footage from Antalya Airport in Turkey, shared on TikTok, shows the terminal eerily quiet, with one visitor dubbing it a 'ghost town' despite the approaching summer season.
User dadhealthandtravel posted a clip capturing the deserted scene, stating: 'I get it's only March, and the resorts are just starting to get busy ahead of the season starting, but I have NEVER seen Antalya Airport this quiet. Through check-in, passport control and security in under five minutes.' The video has garnered thousands of views, with many commenters citing expense as the reason for the downturn.
'It's so expensive,' one wrote, while another added: 'That place is a rip-off.' A third traveller noted: 'We left from Antalya Airport last week and it was the quietest I'd ever seen it.' However, some recent visitors experienced the opposite, with one saying: 'We arrived on Monday and there were many people.'
Turkey has long been a budget-friendly option for British tourists, but a combination of factors has driven up costs. Severe inflation and the rapid weakening of the Turkish Lira have eroded purchasing power, while rising operational expenses, surging demand in hotspots, and high import duties on items like electronics and alcohol have stripped away its affordable image.
Despite the overall price hike, cheaper alternatives remain. Travellers can save money by dining in local districts away from tourist hubs or visiting during the off-peak season. For now, the footage of Antalya's empty terminals serves as a stark indicator of shifting holiday habits.
