Greece and Turkey Surge in Popularity as Budget-Friendly Holiday Deals Lure British Tourists Away from Pricey Majorca

Written By: Shraddha Das

Shraddha Das

I am a passionate travel writer at Travel and Tour World (TTW) with two years of experience covering the ever-evolving world of travel, tourism, aviation, and hospitality. She enjoys turning complex industry updates into engaging stories that inspire and inform readers around the globe. With a keen eye for detail and a love for discovering what makes every destination unique, Shraddha is committed to delivering accurate, insightful, and reader-friendly content that connects people with the world of travel.

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June 30, 2025 5:27 PM |

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Greece and Turkey are experiencing a significant rise in popularity among British holidaymakers as soaring travel costs in Spain, particularly in Majorca, push tourists toward more affordable Mediterranean destinations. With travel operators slashing prices to as low as £228 for weeklong packages—including flights, accommodations, and transfers—these value-packed deals offer a stark contrast to Majorca’s steep prices, where similar holidays can cost over three times as much. This affordability gap is driving a shift in travel preferences, especially for families and budget-conscious travellers navigating the cost-of-living crisis, making Greece and Turkey the go-to choices for summer escapes

British Tour Operators Slash Holiday Prices to Greece and Turkey, Pressuring Majorca Amid Rising Costs

British holidaymakers are being lured with budget-friendly deals to Greece and Turkey as travel companies slash prices in response to regional tensions in the Middle East. The steep discounts, some as low as £228, are reshaping travel decisions and posing fresh challenges for Majorca, where holiday prices remain significantly higher.

As of June 30, a growing number of British travel providers have introduced cut-rate deals for trips to Mediterranean destinations outside Spain. Leading the price war is TUI, offering a seven-day getaway from Gatwick to the Greek party town of Kavos in Corfu for just £228, departing on July 13. This represents a sharp contrast to holiday costs in the Balearic Islands, where prices have soared as the region increasingly caters to a more affluent demographic.

Jet2 Holidays, the UK’s largest package holiday provider, has also joined the trend. This week, travellers can book a weeklong vacation for under £300, with itineraries including a July 2 flight from Stansted to Parga in northwest Greece, July 3 from East Midlands to Bodrum in Turkey, and July 4 from Birmingham to Marmaris. All include accommodation, flights, luggage, and transfers.

In contrast, a comparable trip to Majorca currently commands a much steeper price tag. For example, a seven-night stay for two adults at Innside by Melia Calvia Beach in Magaluf, departing July 4, is listed at £1,942. The package includes return flights from Stansted, baggage, breakfast, and coach transfers—more than triple the price of similar packages in Greece or Turkey.

Even premium Turkish resorts are proving more budget-friendly. A stay at Grand Park Lara in Antalya, with the same features included, is priced more than £300 lower than the Magaluf equivalent. Such disparities are prompting price-sensitive British travellers to reconsider their holiday destinations.

Majorca, once hailed as a go-to for affordable sun and sea, is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s pricier destinations. Industry observers and tourism watchdogs have noted a growing affordability issue, especially for families. Soaring accommodation prices, higher food and drink costs, and the introduction of tourist taxes have all contributed to this shift. The increase in demand over recent years has only compounded the issue, as businesses capitalize on high visitor numbers to raise rates.

Travelers now find better value in rival destinations that offer similar attractions—sun-soaked beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and rich cultural experiences—without the premium price tag. Turkey and Greece have emerged as standout alternatives, especially for British tourists looking to maximize their budget.

Despite the pricing gulf, officials in Majorca appear largely unbothered. The Balearic Islands’ tourism ministry has maintained a relaxed stance, pointing out that the rising costs align with a long-term strategy to attract “quality over quantity.” This shift comes on the heels of a significant movement against mass tourism in 2024, when residents across the islands took to the streets to voice their concerns. The protests focused on the negative effects of over-tourism, such as strain on public services, environmental degradation, and skyrocketing housing costs driven by short-term rentals.

Authorities now appear to be doubling down on policies aimed at managing tourism numbers and ensuring that visitors make a meaningful economic contribution. The emphasis is shifting from sheer volume to targeting higher-spending guests who engage with local culture and leave a lower environmental footprint.

Still, the short-term consequence of this pricing disparity may be a redirection of tourists to more affordable destinations like Greece and Turkey. For British families navigating the cost-of-living crisis, a £300 holiday is a compelling proposition compared to the significantly more expensive Spanish islands.

As school holidays near and demand for last-minute travel spikes, it remains to be seen whether Majorca’s strategy will pay off or if lower-cost rivals will draw away the budget-conscious segment that once defined the island’s popularity. What is clear, however, is that the dynamics of European summer travel are shifting rapidly, influenced by global events, regional tensions, and evolving tourist expectations.

British tourists are choosing budget-friendly holidays in Greece and Turkey as Spain’s high travel costs, especially in Majorca, make traditional getaways less appealing. Affordable deals are triggering a major shift in holiday demand away from Spain.

Greece and Turkey are attracting a surge of British tourists with ultra-affordable holiday deals, as soaring prices in Majorca push travellers to seek better value elsewhere. Budget packages starting under £300 are redefining summer travel choices.

With the market now split between value-driven escapes and luxury-driven experiences, the future of Mediterranean tourism may lie in how well destinations balance accessibility, sustainability, and economic return. For now, Greece and Turkey seem poised to benefit most from the affordability reset.