Istanbul breaks tourism records with over 5M foreign visitors in 2024
In a remarkable achievement, Istanbul welcomed a record-breaking 5,244,936 foreign visitors in the first four months of 2024, marking a substantial 9.94% increase compared to the same period in 2023, according to data released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
This surge in tourism continued into April, with Istanbul hosting 1,478,218 foreign visitors, representing a significant 14.60% increase from the previous year and solidifying its status as a critical driver of Turkish tourism.
Top countries contributing to Istanbul’s tourism boom
In April, Russia led the pack of contributing countries with 167,824 visitors, followed by Germany with 109,202 visitors, Iran with 80,193 visitors and the United States with 68,103 visitors.
This diverse mix of international visitors underscores Istanbul’s appeal as a global tourist destination.
Air travel dominates, Istanbul Airport leads the way
Air travel remained the preferred mode of entry into Istanbul, with Istanbul Airport handling the majority of arrivals. In April alone, Istanbul Airport welcomed 1,063,035 foreign visitors, constituting an impressive 72.86% of total air arrivals to the city. Sabiha Gokcen Airport, Istanbul’s secondary airport, also significantly received 394,772 foreign visitors, accounting for 27.06% of air arrivals.
Positive growth trends
The growth trend in tourism via air travel was particularly noteworthy. There was a 15.54% increase in foreign visitors compared to April 2023, reaching a total of 1,459,083 arrivals. Additionally, a modest number of 19,135 foreign visitors arrived in Istanbul by sea in April.
Accommodation, occupancy rates
March saw Istanbul’s hotels operating at a commendable occupancy rate of 45.85%. A total of 1,004,536 arrivals were recorded in ministry-certified facilities, resulting in 2,219,479 nights with an average stay duration of 2.21 days. These statistics highlight Istanbul’s robust tourism infrastructure and its enduring appeal to visitors from around the globe.
