Tourist Influx Up 10% Compared to Previous Year, With Russians Leading the Surge
Istanbul has kicked off 2024 with a remarkable boost in tourism, welcoming 5,244,936 foreign tourists in the first four months, marking a 10% increase from the same period last year. According to data from the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, this surge underscores the city’s growing appeal on the global stage.
April alone saw a notable spike, with 1,478,218 foreign visitors, a 15% rise from the 1,289,903 who visited in April of the previous year. The majority of these tourists, 1,459,083, arrived by air, which is a 16% increase compared to last year. However, sea arrivals dropped by 29%, totaling 19,135 visitors.
Among the visitors, Russians topped the list, with 167,824 arrivals, followed by 109,202 from Germany and 80,193 from Iran. Other significant numbers included 68,103 from the United States and 62,404 from France. The influx of Russian tourists accounted for 11.35% of the total, with Germans making up 7.39% and Iranians 5.42%.
Istanbul’s airports played a critical role in this tourism boom. Istanbul Airport handled 1,063,035 arrivals, accounting for 72.86% of the total air traffic, while Sabiha Gökçen International Airport welcomed 394,772 visitors, making up 27.06%.
The city’s maritime ports also saw varied activity. Karaköy Port led with 11,702 visitors, followed by Sarayburnu Port with 3,661, and Tuzla Port with 1,799.
Tourists from 199 countries visited Istanbul in April, with unique arrivals from places as far-flung as Porto Rico, Nauru, Tonga, Somaliland, Sao Tome and Principe, Samoa, and North Korea.
This strong start to the year signals a vibrant tourism season ahead for Istanbul, further solidifying its status as a key global destination.
Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz