Leading inbound travel markets in Turkey 2019-2023
In 2023, Russia was the leading inbound travel market for Turkey based on the volume of tourist arrivals, reaching over 6.3 million visitors. Germany and the United Kingdom followed on the list, with approximately 6.2 and 3.8 million arrivals, respectively.
One of the most popular destinations in Europe
With hundreds of beaches, mountains, nature, and historical sites in various cities, Turkey has plenty of activities to offer to tourists. Consequently, the country attracts millions of visitors every year. In 2023, following Italy, Turkey ranked fourth among the most popular destinations in Europe, having welcomed over 55 million travelers. That year, Turkey’s inbound tourism receipts amounted to 49.5 billion U.S. dollars, which placed the country fifth among other European destinations.
Inbound tourism in Turkey
The country saw a sharp decrease in the number of inbound tourist arrivals in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, from 2022 onwards, the figures caught up with the pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, over 49 million international tourists visited Turkey, which was the peak value recorded since 2000. In the same year, the vast majority of foreign travelers arrived in Turkey with the purpose of travel, entertainment, sport, or cultural activities. Furthermore, about 7.2 million foreigners visited their relatives and friends in Turkey.
