Istanbul breaks tourism record with over 17 million visitors in 2023

Istanbul emerges as a premier global destination, setting a new tourism record with 17.37 million foreign visitors in 2023, predominantly from Russia, Germany and Iran

Istanbul has set a new record by hosting 17.37 million foreign tourists in 2023, confirming its status as one of the world’s most visited cities.

According to the latest data from the Istanbul Provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate, this number marks an 8.44% increase compared to the previous year.

Russians led the surge in visitors, with 1.99 million arrivals, closely followed by Germans at 1.29 million. Significant contributions also came from Iran and the United States, with tourists at 1.05 million and 853,766, respectively.

Other notable contributors included the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and France.

Most tourists, approximately 71.78% of the 16.96 million who traveled by air, chose Istanbul Airport as their entry point. Additionally, the city welcomed 405,598 visitors via maritime routes.

This uptick in tourism reflects Istanbul’s increasing allure as a global destination.

The city’s rich mix of cultural, historical, and natural attractions continues to draw a diverse range of international visitors, with a particularly marked interest from Russian tourists.

Source: Newsroom