According to a statement from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Istanbul experienced a 4.9% increase in foreign tourist visits last month compared to August 2022, welcoming 1,747,611 international visitors.
The majority of foreign visitors to Istanbul last month hailed from the Russian Federation, totaling 179,017 individuals. Following Russia, Germany was the second-largest source of tourists with 127,486 visitors, Iran was third with 101,459, and the United States was fourth with 81,257 visitors. These countries were followed by Saudi Arabia with 74,664 visitors, the United Kingdom with 72,002, and France with 61,850.
Among Arab countries, Saudi Arabia led the list of foreign visitors to Istanbul in August, followed by Iraq, Kuwait, and Algeria. Jordan, Morocco, Libya, and Egypt also contributed to the influx of tourists.
In the first eight months of the year, the total number of foreign visitors to Istanbul reached 11,524,246.
Istanbul Airport was the preferred choice for visitors during this period, serving a total of 8,085,738 foreigners, with 1,235,473 choosing it in August alone. The airport accounted for 72.69% of all foreign visitors arriving in Istanbul by air in August.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport also saw 462,575 foreign entries in August, becoming the second most popular gateway and constituting 27.22% of foreigners arriving in Istanbul by air. Last month, Atatürk Airport was used by 1,501 foreign visitors.
Consequently, the number of foreign visitors arriving in Istanbul by air last month increased by 3.9% compared to the same month in 2022, reaching 1,699,549.
The number of foreigners arriving in Istanbul by sea last month was 48,062, marking a 58.61% increase compared to the same month the previous year.
According to the latest accommodation statistics published by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the number of arrivals at ministry-certified facilities in July this year totaled 1,277,350. These facilities recorded a total of 3,152,800 overnight stays, with the average length of stay being 2.35 days. The occupancy rate of accommodation facilities in Istanbul in July was 64.36%.
This surge in tourist arrivals underscores Istanbul’s enduring appeal as a global destination, reflecting its rich cultural heritage, diverse culinary landscape, and historic landmarks. The city continues to be a melting pot of cultures, attracting visitors from around the world to experience its unique charm and hospitality.
