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Antalya is preparing for a new wave of Chinese visitors following Türkiye’s decision to grant visa-free entry to citizens of the People’s Republic of China. Tourism representatives say the policy could help extend the tourism season, support cultural tourism, and reduce reliance on peak summer travel.
The visa exemption took effect on Jan. 2, 2026 and allows Chinese citizens to stay in Türkiye for up to 90 days for tourism purposes. Sector representatives describe the decision as a structural shift rather than a short term incentive.
Antalya hosted a record 17.1 million foreign visitors last year. More than 10,500 of them came from China. While the figure remains modest compared to European markets, tourism officials see strong growth potential due to changing travel habits and rising outbound demand from China.
Kaan Kasif Kavaloglu, president of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association, said China is one of the world’s largest outbound tourism markets and remains underrepresented in Türkiye.
“Chinese tourists prefer travel periods when the season is not at its peak,” Kavaloglu said. “This can make a serious contribution to diversifying tourism in Antalya and extending the tourism season.”
He said Chinese visitors mostly arrived in April and December last year. According to Kavaloglu, this pattern directly supports Türkiye’s goal of promoting year-round tourism.
Kavaloglu also pointed to promotional efforts in China. Executives from Trip.com visited Antalya, Istanbul, the Aegean region, and Cappadocia as part of familiarization programs. He said these visits helped increase destination awareness among Chinese travel platforms and tour planners.
More than 400,000 Chinese tourists visited Türkiye in 2025, he added. Kavaloglu said the visa-free decision received positive coverage in Chinese media and coincided with growing interest in Turkish television series in China.
“Antalya and Istanbul could become meeting points for Chinese communities living in Europe and travelers arriving directly from China,” he said.
Tourism officials in Manavgat and Side say the visa exemption supports their long-term strategy to move beyond seasonal mass tourism.
Zafer Sural, president of the Manavgat-Side Touristic Hoteliers Association, said the decision allows Chinese visitors to enter Türkiye using only their passports for tourism or transit.
“This development was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the tourism community in Manavgat and Side,” Sural said.
He described Chinese travelers as one of the highest spending visitor groups and said they show strong interest in culture and history. Sural said Side’s archaeological heritage, combined with mild winter weather, positions the area as an attractive destination outside the summer season.
He also highlighted the potential impact on local businesses. According to Sural, visa-free travel is expected to encourage individual trips, not only group tours. This could support local shops, restaurants, and markets during the winter months.
Chinese tourists, he added, show interest in local cuisine and shopping, which could help keep town centers active year-round.
Expectations in Antalya reflect a broader national trend.
Official figures show that Chinese tourist arrivals to Türkiye rose from 248,100 in 2023 to 409,700 in 2024. This marked growth of more than 65% in a single year and made China the fastest growing source market for Türkiye.
Tourism officials say visitor profiles are also changing. Chinese travelers increasingly seek wellness tourism, sports activities, luxury services, gastronomy, and less crowded destinations. Short landmark focused group tours are becoming less dominant.
Sural said strategic promotion campaigns by the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency could push Chinese visitor numbers beyond 2 million in the medium term. He called on tour operators and airlines to invest further in the Chinese market.
He also pointed to the Culture and Tourism Ministry’s Heritage for the Future Project, which has accelerated excavation and restoration work in the region. Newly revealed historical sites, he said, could further strengthen Antalya and Side as destinations for culture oriented Chinese travelers.
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