FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Türkiye’s tourism industry continued to thrive in 2024, hosting 52.6 million international tourists, a 7% increase from the previous year, and generating a record-breaking revenue of $61.1 billion, according to official data.
Early bookings for 2025 show strong growth, with foreign reservations up by 20%, reflecting traveler confidence and sector expansion, said Murat Toktas, vice president of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation. “This surge underscores Türkiye’s growing appeal as a premier travel destination,” he added.
Building on this momentum, Türkiye aims to attract 65 million visitors and achieve $65 billion in revenue in 2025. Traditional markets such as Russia and Germany remain key, but new contributors like France, Britain, Poland, and Iran are gaining significance, according to Recep Yavuz, a tourism expert in Antalya. Antalya alone targets 18.5 million tourists in 2025, exceeding its 2024 record of 17 million visitors.
Cruise tourism has also seen impressive growth, with February passenger numbers increasing over 500% compared to 2024, marking a new monthly record, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced. Despite global challenges, Türkiye’s affordability and stability continue to draw Western and Eastern travelers, solidifying its position as a top global destination.