Türkiye posts steady tourism growth, eyes USD$64 billion year-end revenue
16 Aug 2025 11:01am
The Sturgeon moon is seen rising over Galata Tower in Istanbul, on August 9, 2025. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
SHAH ALAM - Türkiye welcomed over 26.3 million international visitors in the first half of 2025, posting a 1 per cent year-on-year increase despite global geopolitical uncertainties.
The country, ranked as the world's fourth-largest incoming tourism market by United Nations Tourism's 2024 data, recorded USD$25.8 billion (RM109.24 billion) in tourism revenues between January and June, a 7.6 per cent jump from the same period last year.
Visitors stayed an average of 10 nights and spent USD$106 (RM448.80) per night per person, marking an 8 per cent increase in daily expenditure compared to 2024. Kaleköy, Antalya. (Photo from Türkiye Culture and Tourism Ministry)
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said Türkiye's strategy of diversifying destinations, tourism products and source markets is paying off.
'Despite many geopolitical challenges in the first half of the year, Türkiye continued its sustainable growth in the tourism industry. Our focus is proving effective, and we remain confident in achieving our year-end target of USD$64 billion (RM270.98 billion) in tourism revenues,' he said at a press conference in Istanbul. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy speaking. (Photo from Türkiye Culture and Tourism Ministry)
Russia, Germany and the UK emerged as Türkiye's top three visitor markets, contributing 2.61 million, 2.42 million, and 1.75 million visitors respectively. The nation also recorded double-digit growth from the Americas, several European countries, Central Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Tourism analysts say the uptick in per capita spending signals stronger demand for higher-value experiences, a trend Türkiye is keen to capitalise on in the run-up to the peak summer and autumn seasons.
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