Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry together with Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) today held a press conference at Atatürk Culture Center in Istanbul to inform about the impressive growth of Turkey’s tourism sector.
Turkey’s tourism sector has set a new record, generating $23.7 billion in revenue during the first half of 2024. This remarkable achievement is a clear indicator of the sector’s robust recovery and resilience, following the global challenges of recent years.
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, shared the latest figures during a press conference held at the Atatürk Cultural Center, underscoring the country’s upward trajectory in the global tourism market. “We have achieved a record $23.7 billion in tourism revenue in just the first six months of this year,” Ersoy announced. “These records will continue in the third and fourth quarters, and we are on track to surpass our year-end target of $60 billion.”
Visitor spending also showed positive trends, with the average per capita daily expenditure for foreign visitors rising from $103 to $109 compared to the same period last year. Overall, the average daily expenditure across all visitors stood at $98 for the first half of 2024, in line with the government’s year-end target of $103.
The average stay duration was reported as 10.1 days, with expectations that it might slightly exceed the year-end goal of 9.7 days.
Tourism arrival numbers have also seen a significant boost. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the number of foreign visitors increased by 13.9% year-on-year, reaching a total of 26.1 million. Leading the influx were visitors from Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom, with Russia topping the list at 2.7 million visitors, followed by Germany with 2.5 million, and the United Kingdom with 1.8 million.
Reflecting on the overall growth, Minister Ersoy highlighted that the steady increase in visitor numbers has been evident month by month, despite the challenges posed by global events such as the European Championship and the Paris Summer Olympics.
These events, according to Ersoy, have slightly slowed the pace of growth in June and are expected to have a similar impact in July and August. However, he remains optimistic that the numbers will rise again starting in September, aiming to exceed the target of 60 million visitors by the end of the year.
The Minister also addressed the situation in popular destinations like Bodrum and Çeşme, where occupancy rates have been lower than expected. He attributed this to the short tourist season and a heavy reliance on the domestic market. Ersoy emphasized the need to extend the tourism season to a full 12 months and diversify the market to attract a broader range of international visitors.
Additionally, Ersoy touched on several strategic initiatives aimed at boosting Turkey’s tourism potential, including the development of Ege Tourism Centers and direct flights from İzmir and Bodrum to key global destinations. These projects are designed to enhance the region’s appeal and extend the tourist season throughout the year.
In another significant announcement, Ersoy revealed new regulations for the Kariye Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that reopened for worship in May. Starting August 19, the mosque will charge a 20-euro fee for tourists, with all proceeds going to the General Directorate of Foundations.
Finally, the Minister highlighted the ongoing efforts to formalize tourism housing in Turkey, with over 40,000 homes set to receive certification for tourism use, enhancing accommodation options for visitors across the country.
With these ambitious plans and the momentum of a record-breaking first half, Turkey is poised to close 2024 with unprecedented success in its tourism sector.
