Dubai : Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, announced the country’s first-half tourism results in a press conference held in İstanbul on July 31st. In the first 6 months of 2026, Türkiye hosted 25.8 million international visitors. Hence, Türkiye’s tourism revenues remained at last year’s level, totalling USD 25.8 billion.
Minister Ersoy said, “Regional tensions in the Middle East and global uncertainties have impacted tourism demand in the first half of 2026. Although Türkiye was not involved in the conflict and all our airlines and airports continued to operate without disruption, the closure of Middle Eastern airspace led to a slight decline in demand. In the first six months of 2025, we hosted 26.4 million visitors. During the same period in the current year, we welcomed 25.8 million visitors.
We have commenced the second half of the year strongly, and our current projections suggest a markedly improved performance for the remainder of the year. As a consequence of our strategic initiatives, we maintained our tourism revenues at the same level as in 2025, concluding the first half of the year with a robust figure of USD 25.8 billion.”
How Türkiye reached 25.8 million visitors
Türkiye’s average stay per night increased by 0,5% to 10,01 nights and spend per night increased by 2,6% to USD 109. Türkiye’s 3 biggest source markets remained the same: the Russian Federation (2.65M), Germany (2.44M) and the UK (1.58M).
Türkiye’s Tourism Outlook for the Second Half of 2026
Despite a slight decline in international visitor numbers during the first half of the year, Türkiye’s tourism sector has demonstrated resilience by maintaining tourism revenues at USD 25.8 billion. The figures highlight the importance of visitor spending, length of stay and destination diversification in supporting the country’s tourism performance amid changing international travel conditions.
The increase in average length of stay and spending per night suggests that visitor value remains an important consideration for Türkiye’s tourism strategy. Rather than relying solely on higher arrival numbers, destinations can strengthen tourism revenues by encouraging longer stays and offering experiences that motivate travellers to explore multiple locations.
Key Markets Continue to Support Visitor Demand
The Russian Federation, Germany and the United Kingdom remained Türkiye’s three largest international source markets during the first six months of 2026. These established markets continue to play an important role in supporting demand for the country’s diverse tourism offerings, from coastal holidays and city breaks to cultural attractions and culinary experiences.
Türkiye’s geographical position, extensive accommodation options and established aviation connections have helped it appeal to a broad international audience. Istanbul remains a major gateway for visitors interested in history, shopping and gastronomy, while coastal destinations attract travellers seeking beaches, resort stays and outdoor activities.
Maintaining strong relationships with established source markets while developing new visitor segments can help the country manage fluctuations in international demand. Travel preferences, airline capacity and wider geopolitical conditions will continue to influence how these markets perform throughout the year.
Diversifying Experiences to Support Tourism Growth
Türkiye offers a broad range of experiences across its regions, including historical landmarks, archaeological sites, natural landscapes, wellness retreats and seaside resorts. This diversity provides opportunities to attract travellers with different interests and encourage visitors to explore beyond the country’s most established destinations.
Cultural tourism remains an important part of the country’s appeal, with historic neighbourhoods, museums, traditional markets and regional cuisines offering opportunities for year-round travel. Coastal tourism, meanwhile, continues to provide an attractive option for international visitors planning summer holidays.
As the second half of 2026 progresses, tourism performance will depend on several factors, including international connectivity, traveller confidence, household spending and developments in key source markets. The government’s current projections point towards improved performance in the coming months.
Türkiye’s first-half results therefore provide an important snapshot of the sector’s ability to maintain revenue despite external pressures. Continued attention to visitor experience, destination diversification and international market engagement will remain important as the country works towards its broader tourism growth ambitions.
Related reading: Türkiye reports 9.2 million international visitors during the first quarter of 2026
Ahmed Abdul Wasey
Managing Editor, Eat ‘N Stays
Ahmed Abdul Wasey is the Managing Editor in Eat ‘N Stays, overseeing all editorial coverage of travel, hospitality, and food across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. He sets the publication’s editorial direction and reviews coverage across hotels, restaurants, tourism, cruise, and industry news before it publishes.
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