Foreign Visitor Arrivals to Türkiye 2023–2025 highlight the country’s steady rise as one of the world’s top travel destinations. In this period, Türkiye has consistently attracted millions of international travelers, with growth in 2023 and 2024 setting new records before a more balanced pace emerged in 2025.
The data on Foreign Visitor Arrivals to Türkiye 2023–2025 reveal how tourism trends shifted month by month, influenced by economic factors, regional events, and seasonal travel patterns. Istanbul and Antalya dominated as leading gateways, while other provinces like Muğla, İzmir, and Edirne added diversity to the visitor landscape. By analyzing Foreign Visitor Arrivals to Türkiye 2023–2025, readers gain insights into how demand fluctuated, why some months soared while others dipped, and how Türkiye’s tourism sector continues to prove its resilience.
Overall, the statistics on Foreign Visitor Arrivals to Türkiye 2023–2025 not only showcase Türkiye’s global appeal but also its ability to adapt and thrive amid changing travel conditions.
Foreign Visitor Arrivals to Türkiye 2023–2025
Türkiye has remained one of the world’s most visited destinations, attracting tens of millions of international travelers each year. In 2024, the country welcomed 52.6 million foreign visitors, marking a 6.95% increase compared to 2023. By contrast, the first eight months of 2025 brought in 35.48 million arrivals, showing a slight 0.9% decline year-over-year, with figures still considered provisional.
Visitor flows in 2025 revealed a mixed picture. Early months saw notable drops, including February and March, while April and August recorded growth. August stood out as a strong month, with 6.96 million arrivals, a 2.05% rise compared to the same month in 2024. This resilience highlights how Türkiye continues to draw steady demand, even during periods of fluctuation.
Entry points also shaped the tourism landscape. İstanbul and Antalya together accounted for nearly two-thirds of all foreign arrivals between January and August 2025, underscoring their role as the country’s leading gateways. Other provinces such as Edirne, Muğla, and İzmir added further diversity to Türkiye’s tourism profile, reflecting both cultural appeal and regional accessibility.
Foreign visitor arrivals to Türkiye showed steady growth in 2023 and 2024 before stabilizing in 2025. Visitor numbers reached record highs in some months, while others reflected small declines, pointing to a more balanced but slightly slower pace of tourism expansion.
Annual Arrival Figures and Growth Rates
In 2023, Türkiye attracted 49.2 million foreign visitors, marking a strong rebound after the pandemic years. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, arrivals increased further in 2024, reaching 52.6 million, which represented a 6.95% growth compared to the previous year.
By 2025, data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism led by Mehmet Nuri Ersoy showed a more mixed picture. From January to August 2025, Türkiye welcomed 35.48 million foreign visitors, reflecting a 0.9% decline compared to the same period in 2024.
Despite this slight decrease, some months continued to post gains. For example, August 2025 arrivals rose by 2.05% year-on-year, totaling 6.96 million visitors. This indicates that while overall growth slowed, demand for Türkiye as a destination remained resilient.
Key Influences on Tourism Trends
Tourism growth in Türkiye has been shaped by several factors. Exchange rate advantages made the country more affordable for European travelers, while strong connections with Russia, Germany, and Iran supported consistent inflows. In early 2025, Istanbul and Antalya together accounted for nearly two-thirds of all arrivals.
However, monthly shifts highlighted some challenges. February 2025 saw a 5.34% drop, and March fell by 13.14%, partly due to regional instability and lower demand from certain markets. In contrast, April posted an 8.01% increase, showing how quickly the sector can rebound.
Government support also played a role. Policies promoted by Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy emphasized sustainable growth and diversification beyond traditional hubs like Antalya and Istanbul, helping balance visitor flows across provinces.
Comparison With Pre-Pandemic Years
Before the pandemic, Türkiye recorded 45 million foreign visitors in 2019, a record at that time. The sharp decline in 2020 due to travel restrictions reduced arrivals to under 16 million, but recovery began in 2021 and accelerated in 2022.
The 52.6 million visitors in 2024 surpassed pre-pandemic levels, setting a new benchmark for the tourism sector. Even with the slight slowdown in 2025, arrivals remained well above 2019 figures, showing that the industry has not only recovered but expanded.
This growth reflects both Türkiye’s enduring appeal and its ability to adapt to changing travel patterns. Key destinations such as Istanbul and Antalya continue to attract the majority of visitors, while border provinces like Edirne also contribute steadily to overall numbers.
Monthly and Seasonal Visitor Trends
Foreign visitor arrivals to Türkiye between 2023 and 2025 showed steady growth but also short-term fluctuations. Some months brought sharp declines, while others recorded strong increases, often shaped by seasonal demand and external factors.
Monthly Highlights and Fluctuations
In 2024, Türkiye hosted 52.6 million foreign visitors, marking a 6.95% increase from 2023. By contrast, the first eight months of 2025 saw 35.48 million arrivals, a slight 0.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.
Monthly data reveals mixed results. February 2025 dropped -5.34% and March fell -13.14%, showing weaker demand during late winter. However, April rose +8.01%, pointing to a rebound as spring travel picked up.
August 2025 stood out, with 6.96 million visitors, a 2.05% increase over August 2024. This month alone accounted for nearly one-fifth of all arrivals in the first eight months, highlighting its importance in annual tourism performance.
Seasonal Patterns and Peak Periods
Tourism in Türkiye follows a clear seasonal cycle. Summer months, especially July and August, consistently attract the highest number of foreign visitors. In August 2025, Antalya and İstanbul together drew over 4.4 million, showing their dominance during peak travel.
The first eight months of 2025 confirm that İstanbul (34.9%) and Antalya (30.9%) together captured nearly two-thirds of all arrivals. Coastal provinces such as Muğla and İzmir also gained more visitors in summer, reflecting strong demand for seaside destinations.
By contrast, winter months such as January and February tend to record lower arrivals. This seasonal dip reflects reduced leisure travel, though border provinces like Edirne still attract steady flows from neighboring countries.
Impact of Regional and Global Events
Visitor numbers in 2025 were shaped not only by seasonal demand but also by external conditions. The declines in February and March suggest that geopolitical tensions and economic pressures may have reduced travel in early spring.
Despite these challenges, Türkiye’s competitive pricing and strong air connectivity helped sustain growth in later months. August 2025’s increase shows resilience even during a period of global uncertainty.
Regional patterns also mattered. Russians, Germans, and British travelers remained among the top groups, while nearby markets like Iran contributed to steady inflows. These visitor bases helped Türkiye offset short-term declines in other regions.
Conclusion
The analysis of Foreign Visitor Arrivals to Türkiye 2023–2025 demonstrates both resilience and adaptability in the tourism sector. While 2023 and 2024 marked strong periods of growth, 2025 reflected stabilization with slight fluctuations shaped by external and seasonal factors.
Despite short-term declines in early 2025, August emerged as a highlight, confirming that Türkiye continues to hold strong demand among international travelers. The numbers around Foreign Visitor Arrivals to Türkiye 2023–2025 prove that Türkiye remains one of the most attractive global destinations, surpassing pre-pandemic benchmarks and sustaining impressive inflows.
İstanbul and Antalya led the way, but growing contributions from other regions also underline the country’s expanding tourism potential. In short, the patterns within Foreign Visitor Arrivals to Türkiye 2023–2025 illustrate not just visitor counts but a broader story of growth, resilience, and continued appeal. For policymakers, businesses, and traveler alike, tracking Foreign Visitor Arrivals to Türkiye 2023–2025 offers valuable lessons on how Türkiye remains a dynamic and welcoming hub for global tourism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Türkiye’s total foreign visitor arrivals in 2024?
Türkiye hosted 52.6 million foreign visitors in 2024, a 6.95% increase over 2023, setting a new all-time record for international arrivals according to official data from TurkStat and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
How are arrivals trending in 2025 so far?
August 2025 performed strongly with about 6.97 million foreign visitors (+2.05% YoY), while February and March saw declines of roughly 5.34% and 13.14% respectively, indicating late-winter softness before a spring rebound in April; August marked the first increase after three down months.
Which months in 2025 performed best and worst?
August 2025 performed strongly with about 6.97 million foreign visitors (+2.05% YoY), while February and March saw declines of roughly 5.34% and 13.14% respectively, indicating late-winter softness before a spring rebound in April; August marked the first increase after three down months.
Which cities receive the most foreign tourists?
Istanbul and Antalya dominate arrivals, together accounting for nearly two-thirds of January–August 2025 foreign visitors, with Istanbul around 34.9% and Antalya about 30.9%; Edirne and Muğla also feature prominently among top destinations.
Who are the top source markets in 2025?
Russia and Germany lead as top source markets in 2025, followed by the United Kingdom, with Iran and Bulgaria also significant; in August 2025, Russia and Germany were nearly tied near one million arrivals each.
Did 2024 surpass pre-pandemic tourism levels?
Yes, 2024 international arrivals reached 52.6 million and tourism revenue hit about $61.1 billion, both surpassing 2019 highs and confirming a robust, post-pandemic expansion in Türkiye’s tourism sector.
Why did some months decline in early 2025?
The early-2025 dips are attributed to softer late-winter demand and external pressures, including geopolitical and economic factors, before a recovery in April and solid August performance, indicating resilient underlying demand.
What share did August contribute to 2025’s Jan–Aug arrivals?
With 6.97 million foreign visitors, August accounted for roughly one-fifth of January–August 2025 arrivals, underscoring its critical role in the annual tourism cycle and peak-season dynamics.
Which provinces besides Istanbul and Antalya stand out?
Edirne, a border province, consistently ranks among top destinations due to cross-border flows, while Muğla (including Bodrum and Marmaris) draws strong summer demand, reflecting diversified regional appeal.
What factors are supporting Türkiye’s tourism resilience?
Competitive pricing tied to exchange rates, extensive air connectivity, and strong demand from Russia, Germany, and the UK are bolstering resilience, alongside policy support aimed at sustainable growth and market diversification.
What is the outlook for full-year 2025 arrivals?
Industry communications point to ambitions around 65 million total visitors in 2025 (including Turkish citizens residing abroad), with August’s rebound improving confidence after mid-year softness, though outcomes depend on late-season performance.
How can travel brands use these trends for SEO?
Target peak-season queries around Istanbul/Antalya, emphasize August travel deals, and create country-market landing pages for Russia, Germany, and the UK, while covering value propositions and connectivity to align with search intent patterns seen in 2024–2025.