Turkey Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 30 May 2025

Turkey, a country where the East meets the West, stands as a prominent destination for travellers worldwide. It offers a unique blend of historical, cultural, and natural attractions.

How many tourists visit Turkey each year?

Over 45 million tourists travel to Turkey each year.¹

• From 32.41 million international visitors in 2017, international visitor numbers in Turkey increased to 45.06 million tourists in 2019.

• The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated travel restrictions caused a 71.7% decline in 2020, with just 12.73 million visitors. 2021 marked the beginning of a recovery, with numbers nearly doubling to 24.71 million.

• Tourism in Turkey nearly reached its pre-pandemic levels with 44.56 million visitors in 2022 and increased by 10.4% in 2023 to 49.21 million visitors.

• In 2024, Turkey welcomed 52.63 million international visitors, marking a 6.9% increase from 2023 and exceeding the pre-pandemic levels in 2019 by 16.8%.

How many people visited Turkey in 2025?

From January to April 2025, a total of 10.59 million foreign visitors arrived in Turkey.

Number of Foreign Visitors to Turkey in 2025

Month	2025 Visitation
January	2.17
February	2.17
March	2.35
April	3.90

Note: These figures represent individual visitor counts and are preliminary.

How many people visited Turkey in 2024?

Over 52.63 million tourists visited Turkey in 2024.

• This represents a 6.9% increase compared to 2023, which recorded 49.21 million visitors.
• When compared to the pre-pandemic peak of 45.06 million visitors in 2019, this marks a 16.8% growth over the last five years.
  
  

How much do overseas visitors spend in Turkey each year?

Visitors spent approximately $61.10 billion during trips to Turkey in 2024 (including spending by both foreign visitors and Turkish citizens living abroad and visiting their home country).²

• From $31.25 billion in tourism income in 2017, revenue climbed to $42.85 billion in 2019.

• The global travel restrictions impacted Turkey’s tourism revenue in 2020, which drop to $15.17 billion, marking a 64.6% reduction from the previous year. 

• In 2021, tourism began to bounce back with earnings of $30.31 billion.

• Visitor spending continued to climb in 2022, reaching $49.86 billion. 2023 saw a further recovery, tourism income increased by 12.1%, reaching a new peak of $55.87 billion.
  

How much did visitors spend in Turkey in 2024?

Tourists spent approximately $61.10 billion in Turkey in 2024.

• This reflects a 9.36% increase compared to 2023, which recorded $55.87 billion in spending.
• Compared to the pre-pandemic high of $42.85 billion in 2019, this represents a 42.6% growth in tourism revenue over the last five years.
  
  

How much does it cost to visit Turkey in 2024??

• In 2024, tourists spent an average of $972 per person during their trip to Turkey. This amount includes both package tours and personal spending. On average, travelers spent about $97 per night.
  
• For comparison, the average spending per visitor was $1,135 in 2023 and $1,032 in 2022, showing a steady increase in recent years.
  
  

What countries visit Turkey the most?

In 2024, Turkey welcomed international visitors from Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Iran, and Bulgaria.

• Leading the way, Russia sent more than 6.71 million tourists to Turkey.

• Germany followed closely, bringing 6.62 million visitors.

• The United Kingdom was next, with 4.43 million British tourists exploring Turkey. In addition, Iran contributed 3.28 million visitors, while over 2.92 million tourists came from Bulgaria.

Impact of Coronavirus – Turkey Tourism Statistics 2021

Over 30.04 million travellers (including both foreign visitors and Turkish citizens living abroad) visited Turkey in 2021, generating approximately $30.31 billion in tourism revenue.

• 2021 marked the initial recovery phase for Turkey, with visitor numbers increasing by 88.2% from 2020, and tourism income almost doubling (a 99.7% increase) from the previous year.

• The average spending per visitor increased to $1,032, a rise of 7.72% from 2020.
  
  

Impact of Coronavirus – Turkey Tourism Statistics 2020 

Over 15.97 million travellers (including both foreign visitors and Turkish citizens living abroad) visited Turkey in 2020, contributing $15.17 billion to the tourism sector.

• The year 2020 saw a drastic decline in Turkey’s tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• Compared to 2019 figures, visitor numbers fell by 69.1% from $51.74 million, and tourism income decreased by 64.6% from $42.85 billion.

• The average expenditure per visitor was $958, up 15.98% from 2019.
  
  

Turkey Travel Resources

• Car hire prices in Turkey
• Car hire prices in Istanbul
  
  

Turkey Tourism Statistics 2019

Over 51.75 million travellers (including both foreign visitors and Turkish citizens living abroad) visited Turkey in 2019, bringing in $42.85 billion in tourism income.

• Russia led as the top source of tourists, with more than 7.02 million Russians visiting Turkey in 2019. Other major contributors included Germany, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, and Iran.

• On average, each visitor spent $826 during their stay in Turkey in 2019.
  
  

When are the peak tourist months in Turkey?

Turkey’s peak tourist months generally align with the Northern Hemisphere’s summer holidays and favorable travel seasons, with July standing out as the busiest month for arrivals.

• July was the highest month for tourism in 2024, welcoming approximately 7.33 million visitors, driven by school holidays, beach tourism, and favorable weather across the country.

• August followed with around 6.83 million visitors, benefiting from continued summer vacation demand and peak European travel periods.

• September recorded 6.05 million visitors, supported by milder weather, cultural festivals, and fewer crowds, making it attractive for seasoned travelers.

• June saw 5.86 million arrivals, as early summer travelers and school holiday periods began to pick up.

• May drew 5.45 million tourists, marking the start of the high season with warm weather and spring events.
  
  

When is the best time to visit Turkey?

The best time to visit Turkey is during spring (April to June).

• Mild, comfortable weather perfect for sightseeing, hiking, and outdoor cafés.

• Fewer crowds than summer, so you can enjoy landmarks, bazaars, and museums at a relaxed pace.

• Blooming landscapes, especially in Cappadocia and coastal regions, make it ideal for scenic travel.

• Cultural festivals and local events are in full swing, offering authentic experiences without the high-season prices.
  
  

How popular is Turkey as a tourist destination?

Turkey remains one of the world’s most sought-after tourist destinations, blending deep history, vibrant culture, and world-class hospitality—and this popularity was strongly reflected in 2024.

• Turkey climbed to 29th place out of 119 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, showing a major leap in global competitiveness.

• Istanbul Airport earned recognition in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, reaffirming Turkey’s importance as a major international travel hub.

• Rixos Premium Belek was named Türkiye’s Leading Resort 2024 at the World Travel Awards, showcasing the country’s premium resort offerings.

• The Michelin Guide expanded to include top restaurants in İzmir and Bodrum, adding to Istanbul’s listings, highlighting Turkey’s fast-growing culinary appeal.

• Turkey hosted the 2024 Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards in İzmir, reinforcing its global role in eco-conscious travel and responsible tourism.
  
  

Top Destinations in Turkey

• Istanbul: Turkey’s largest city and a major cultural and historical hub, famous for sites like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Istanbul attracts around 13.4 million tourists annually based on pre-pandemic data.

• Antalya: A city on the Mediterranean coast, known for its historic old city, beaches, and resorts. Antalya receives an estimated 12.4 million visitors per year based on pre-pandemic data.

• Cappadocia: Celebrated for its unique rock formations, cave dwellings, and hot air balloon rides. Cappadocia’s visitor numbers vary, but the region usually hosts around 2 million tourists each year.

• Ephesus: An ancient city noted for its well-preserved ruins, including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. The Ephesus archaeological site attracts around 2 million visitors annually, though this can change from year to year.

• Pamukkale: Known for its white travertine terraces and mineral-rich thermal waters. The site usually sees over 2 million visitors each year.
  

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References

1. TCKTB: Turkey Border Entry-Exit Statistics for 2023 ↩︎
2. TCKTB: Turkey Tourism Revenues And Expenses ↩︎