A Turkish man has gone viral after publicly voicing his frustration at being denied hotel bookings during the Bayram holiday, claiming that more than 20 resort hotels refused to accommodate him solely because he was a single male guest.
According to his statement, the man attempted to book accommodations at 21 different hotels — either through online platforms or by calling tourism agencies directly — only to be systematically rejected. His only apparent disqualification: being a man traveling alone. “The moment I indicate ‘male’ during the reservation process, it gets canceled. I’ve worked like a mule all winter. Now, in summer, I want to spend what I’ve earned like a lion. But I’m told there’s no place for me.” he says.
Left with no choice but to stay below his standards
After repeated rejections, the traveler said he was forced to settle for a hotel far below his personal standards. “I don’t want to disparage the place, but it’s not where I want to be,” he explained in a video. “The fountain’s broken, the toilet’s been patched together with cement, and there’s not even a fridge in the room. But I had no other option.”
"Why am I being penalized for being a man?"
In a heartfelt monologue, he questioned the broader social implications of the policies that excluded him. He said “Why did I study? Why did I invest in myself? Why do I work and earn money? If I’m a decent, self-sufficient citizen with the right to live freely, why are those rights stripped from me just because I’m a man traveling alone? And why is everyone so silent about it?”
"Foreign men are welcome — but I’m not?"
The man also pointed to what he sees as a double standard, noting that foreign male tourists — including those from Gulf countries — are able to vacation freely at high-end resorts in Türkiye “Men from all over the world come here and enjoy our best hotels. But I — a Turkish man, educated and employed — can’t stay in the same place unless I bring a woman along. I can’t attend the concert I want. I can’t enjoy the entertainment I choose. It’s maddening.” he said.
A widespread yet unspoken policy
While not openly advertised, many hotels in popular Turkish tourist destinations, particularly all-inclusive resorts catering to families or couples, quietly enforce policies that discourage or outright ban reservations from single men. The rationale, according to some hotel managers, is to “maintain a certain atmosphere” or “avoid potential discomfort for other guests.”
However, critics argue that such policies amount to discrimination and reinforce outdated gender stereotypes. Legal experts say these practices could also violate consumer protection laws and anti-discrimination regulations if formally challenged.
As tourism season kicks into full gear, the debate over “single male bans” may be gaining new momentum — especially as more travelers, like this man, go public with their experiences.
