Tourism in Türkiye surpasses 40M visitors in 8 months, nearing target
People shop at Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Türkiye, November 4, 2022. (Reuters Photo)
Tourism in Türkiye has attracted over 40 million visitors in the first eight months of 2024, marking a 7.11% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
This growth in tourist numbers shows the country’s rising appeal as a top travel destination.
Visitor numbers surge as Türkiye attracts millions of tourists
From January to August 2024, 40,295,979 visitors came to Türkiye. Among them, 35,803,874 were foreign tourists, while 4,492,105 were Turkish citizens living abroad. The number of foreign arrivals increased by 7.11% compared to the previous year.
In August alone, 6,825,403 foreign tourists visited Türkiye, a 2.47% increase compared to the same month last year.
The top three countries contributing to this influx were:
- Russia: 939,370 visitors
- Germany: 882,703 visitors
- United Kingdom: 668,079 visitors
These numbers indicate a strong recovery in the tourism sector. The government aims to reach 60 million visitors by the end of the year.
In the first half of 2024, Türkiye recorded 26.1 million arrivals, generating $23.7 billion in revenue. This growth reflects the country’s appeal as a top travel destination and its efforts to enhance tourism infrastructure and services.
Türkiye’s tourism industry saw an 8.27% growth in the first seven months of 2024, attracting 28.9 million visitors during this period.
Russia emerged as the top source of tourists, contributing 3.6 million visitors.
This growth demonstrates the increasing interest in Türkiye as a global travel destination.
Istanbul, Antalya lead tourism in Türkiye, boosting economy
Tourists favor Türkiye’s diverse attractions, with certain cities receiving the highest number of visitors. The most popular destinations and their visitor numbers from January to August 2024 are:
- Istanbul: 12,269,603 visitors
- Antalya: 11,039,331 visitors
- Edirne: 3,360,250 visitors
- Mugla: 2,610,083 visitors
- Izmir: 1,176,774 visitors
Istanbul and Antalya accounted for a significant share of the total visitor numbers. Antalya, known for its beautiful beaches and historical sites, welcomed over 9 million tourists in the first seven months of 2024, a 10.06% increase from the previous year.
Touristic cities draw millions, visitor numbers show tourism boom
- Antalya
- Attracted 9 million visitors in the first seven months.
- Russia led with 2 million visitors, followed by Germany with 1.77 million, and the United Kingdom with 874,356.
- Istanbul
- Welcomed 8.5 million visitors in the first half of 2024, an 8% increase from last year.
- The majority of visitors arrived by air, with 1.16 million at Istanbul Airport.
- Pamukkale
- Drew 1.7 million visitors in the first eight months, showing a 12% increase.
- The site remains popular for its travertine terraces and ancient ruins.
- Van
- Hosted 651,520 Iranian tourists, providing a boost to the local economy.
Türkiye’s cultural events and strategic initiatives increase visitor numbers
Türkiye’s tourism sector thrives not only because of its natural and historical attractions but also because of vibrant cultural events.
The Türkiye Culture Route Festival, covering 16 cities, successfully combines tourism with cultural activities, drawing local and international tourists alike.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy emphasized the importance of expanding tourism beyond the peak season.
By implementing strategic promotional efforts and introducing new cultural initiatives, Türkiye aims to sustain its momentum, targeting 60 million visitors and $60 billion in revenue by the end of 2024.
The rise in tourism is expected to positively affect Türkiye’s current account deficit, contributing to economic stability and growth.
With a projected 60 million visitors by the end of the year, Türkiye is on track to set new records, further establishing itself as a global tourism leader.
