Peak season holidaymakers in Turkey in popular coastal destinations are facing a new and frustrating challenge: a widespread refusal by merchants to accept credit cards, coupled with exorbitant commission fees on card payments that are accepted.

Many operators of beach clubs, boat tours, parking lots and adventure sports are insisting on cash-only transactions, according to a report from business daily Dunya. In cases where credit card use is agreed, customers are often charged commissions ranging from 20% to 30%. The practices have sparked complaints and confusion among both domestic and international tourists.

Tourists left fed up and angered by the “cash-only” merchants and what amount to credit card commission scams are the latest problem for Turish tourism officials already troubled by a growing conviction among many foreign visitors that inflation-ravaged Turkey is no longer an affordable, budget-friendly destination, as reported by bne IntelliNews in May.

Boat tours, in particular, have reportedly eliminated card payments altogether. With prices ranging from Turkish lira (TRY) 150 to 1,500 ($3.68 to $36.80) per person, some tours are thought to collect up to TRY 200,000 ($4,911) in cash daily. Food and beverage purchases on the tours are also strictly cash-based.

Parking facilities have adopted seasonal pricing and insist on cash payments. Taxi drivers and airport shuttle services, meanwhile, frequently cite “POS device malfunctions” as a reason to demand cash, with some passengers allegedly being forced out of vehicles after saying they could not pay in cash.

In adventure tourism hubs like Fethiye and Akyaka, operators of paragliding, rafting and diving activities are also leaning heavily on cash payments. When credit cards are accepted, tourists face steep surcharges for these activities too.

Beach clubs and coastal eateries are increasingly enforcing cash-only policies, sometimes requiring minimum food and drink purchases for extended stays.

Tourists requesting receipts are often handed handwritten notes or blank paper. Disputes reportedly arise when customers insist on proper documentation, according to Dunya.