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Türkiye hosted 49.99 million foreign visitors and generated $50 billion in tourism revenue during the first nine months of 2025, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced Friday.
He said the figure was up from $47.3 billion in the same period last year, representing a 5.7% increase in revenue for the nine-month period.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM) in Istanbul, Ersoy said the country achieved its highest-ever third-quarter tourism income, reinforcing its place among the world’s top five destinations.
"In light of the positive developments, we can say that our year-end target of $64 billion is within reach," he said.
Ersoy reported that average daily spending per foreign visitor rose to $116 in the first nine months of 2025, compared to $107 in 2024 and $83 in 2017. The average length of stay remained consistent with the ministry’s goal of 10.3 nights per visitor.
According to ministry data, Russia remained the top source of visitors, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom.
Ersoy said Türkiye has secured a permanent place among the world’s top five tourism markets, having surpassed Italy in 2024 to become the fourth-largest destination worldwide, based on United Nations data.
The minister highlighted that Türkiye’s success stems from a comprehensive strategy that treats tourism as a strategic economic sector, focusing on sustainable growth, smart planning, and effective management.
He noted that while Türkiye’s historical, cultural, and natural assets provide a strong foundation, these advantages alone are not sufficient without proper planning and promotion.
"If not managed effectively and supported by a rational promotional strategy, even a rich potential loses its value," he said.
To make the tourism sector more resilient to crises, Ersoy said Türkiye has worked on diversifying both its tourism products and its source markets. "Türkiye has faced crises in the past and may continue to do so in the future," he said. "The only way to protect the sector is to make it immune to crises through diversification and sustainability."
The minister emphasized that Türkiye has expanded tourism beyond its traditional summer season by promoting more than 60 tourism products—including faith tourism, gastronomy, trekking, and cultural routes—and by spreading tourism activity across all 81 provinces.
The minister also discussed the impact of global warming on tourism patterns, noting that rising temperatures have shifted demand toward the autumn months. While the cooler weather in April and May slowed early-season travel, warmer autumn conditions in October and November have extended the tourism season.
To stimulate early-season travel, Ersoy said the ministry collaborated with the Transport Ministry, airport operators, and airlines on a tax subsidy and airfare discount program. Under this arrangement, airlines operating flights to Antalya, Bodrum, and Dalaman will cut ticket prices by at least 5% for April–May 2026 routes.
"We expect these measures to accelerate travel during the spring months," he said.
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