Turkey Breaking Records: 9.2 Million Tourists and Billions in Revenue in Q1 2026

(Patria) - With a 4.2% increase in visitor numbers in the first quarter of the year, the Mediterranean tourist hub recorded 9.9 billion USD in tourism revenue.

Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, held a press conference in Istanbul where he announced the country's tourism statistics for the first three months of 2026. Turkey recorded a 4.2% growth in international visitors, totaling 9.2 million. The country also reported an impressive 9.896 billion USD in tourism revenue for the first quarter, which is again an increase of 4.2% compared to the same period last year.

Minister Ersoy stated:

“We are going through an extremely sensitive period globally. Regional tensions, geopolitical developments, the negative impact of conflicts, and consequent fluctuations in international travel are among the main factors directly affecting the tourism sector. Crises can and will always happen in our region; however, how these periods are managed is crucial here. Last year, we faced similar global events and regional uncertainties.

Despite this, we ended 2025 with 64 million visitors and 65.2 billion dollars in tourism revenue. The figures clearly show that Turkey is not only a strong tourist destination but also possesses a high capacity for crisis management. We will continue on this path this year with the same determination and experience we have gained. In the first three months of this year, we increased our international visitor numbers by 4.2% to 9.2 million, and our tourism revenues increased by 4.2% to 9.9 billion US dollars.

We are directly monitoring booking trends, cancellations, changes in travel plans, and consumer behavior from the field. This allows us not only to analyze the current situation but also to develop rapid and effective market-specific actions.”

“International Events in Turkey Demonstrate the Country's Global Appeal”

Minister Ersoy also noted that Turkey, and Istanbul in particular, is hosting and preparing for significant international sports and cultural events. These major events solidify Turkey's reputation as a reliable and attractive global tourist destination.

Ersoy said: “Istanbul will return to the Formula 1 calendar with the Turkish Grand Prix starting in 2027. The UEFA Europa League final will be played in Istanbul on May 20th. Istanbul's stadiums and concert halls are hosting performances by international stars, and we are witnessing tens of thousands of European, Russian, Middle Eastern, and Asian visitors coming to our country to attend these events. These international events are not just artistic and sporting gatherings; they are important drivers that strengthen our country's global tourism presentation.”

In the first three months of the year, the “average visitor spending per night” in Turkey increased to 102 USD, an increase of 2.8%. Turkey's figures in this segment were 68 USD in 2017 and 99 USD in 2025. In the first quarter of 2026, Turkey's largest markets were Germany with 678,000, the Russian Federation with 651,000, and Bulgaria with 539,000 visitors.