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Rhodes shopkeepers say they oppose any “landing fee” on Turkish visitors, arguing it would dampen demand from a market that lifts local spending across restaurants, retail, and services. They stress that Turkish holidaymakers “contribute to every corner of the economy here” and warn that a new charge would be counterproductive.
What “landing fee” means: a per-visitor charge collected at ports from travelers arriving by ferry or cruise.
According to Turkish media, official figures show over 420,000 passengers traveled on the Marmaris–Rhodes route in the first 10 months of 2025.
About 122,500 were Turkish citizens, underscoring how closely the two shores of the Aegean are linked for short breaks and shopping trips.
Several small Aegean islands are preparing to charge €3–€5 ($3.4–$5.7) to day-trippers arriving by ferry. Local leaders cite the costs of waste collection, water supply, infrastructure upkeep, and protection of heritage sites during the summer surge.
Rhodes retailers and tourism operators fear that any extra charge on Turkish guests would hurt trade and complicate efforts to nurture friendly cross-Aegean ties.
One shopkeeper put it plainly: “A landing fee would hurt Turkish visitor numbers. Turks contribute to every corner of the economy here.”
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