Türkiye Welcomes 9.2 Million Foreign Visitors in Q1 2026 as Tourism Revenue Rises to About .9 Billion

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye announced tourism statistics for the first quarter of 2026, covering January to March. Foreign arrivals to Türkiye, a hub for Mediterranean tourism, rose 4.2% year on year to 9.2 million, while tourism revenue also increased 4.2% to .896 billion, or about .9 billion. At a press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy addressed the impact of current global conditions on tourism. He said the world is facing an extremely tense period, and that regional tensions, geopolitical developments, the negative effects of conflicts, and resulting shifts in international travel trends are among the main factors directly affecting the tourism industry. He noted that crises can and will continue to occur in the region, and that what matters is how such periods are managed. Ersoy said that despite similar global developments and geopolitical uncertainty last year, Türkiye reached record highs with 64 million visitors and 5.2 billion in tourism revenue. These figures, he said, not only demonstrate Türkiye’s strong global presence in tourism but also clearly show its high crisis-management capability. Türkiye will continue working toward this year’s goals with the experience it has built up and the same determination. In the first quarter of 2026, international visitor numbers reached 9.2 million, up 4.2% year on year, while tourism revenue rose to about .9 billion, also up 4.2%. Türkiye is monitoring booking trends, cancellations, changes in travel plans, and consumer behavior directly from the field. This allows the country not only to understand current conditions but also to take swift and effective action tailored to the needs of each market. Türkiye, especially Istanbul, continues to host major international sports and cultural events. The UEFA Europa League final will be held in Istanbul on Wednesday, May 20, and the return of the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix from 2027 has been officially confirmed. Concerts by global stars are also drawing tens of thousands of fans from Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. These events underscore Türkiye’s position as a reliable and attractive global tourism destination. In the first quarter of 2026, average spending per visitor per night reached 02, up 2.8% from 9 the previous year. Compared with 8 in 2017, this represents substantial growth and indicates an improvement in the quality of tourism. During the same period, the leading source markets were Germany with 678,000 visitors, followed by Russia with 651,000 and Bulgaria with 539,000. About Türkiye: As a key point connecting Asia and Europe, Türkiye has been regarded for centuries as a center of cultural exchange and diversity. With history, ruins, nature, and cuisine shaped by diverse civilizations, it is a multi-purpose destination. Its blend of traditional and modern art and fashion, along with dynamic shopping and entertainment, continues to attract visitors from around the world. In 2025, Türkiye welcomed a record-high total of about 64 million tourists from across the globe. The Republic of Türkiye marked its centennial in 2023, and in 2024 celebrated the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan. More information about Türkiye is available on the official website, https://goturkiye.jp/, and through its official Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube channels. About the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA): TGA carries out promotional, marketing, and communication activities based on tourism strategies and policies set by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Its mission is to establish Türkiye’s branding in domestic and international tourism markets and raise awareness of the country as an attractive destination for tourism and business. TGA promotes and markets current tourism opportunities around the world while identifying, improving, and establishing potential areas of tourism.