Mugla Welcomes Over 1.25 Million Tourists in the First Half of the Year, With Britons Taking the Top Spot
Mugla, one of Turkiye’s prime tourist destinations, has hosted 1,251,796 tourists in the first six months of the year. Known for its natural beauty and ancient cities, Mugla’s 350,000-bed capacity continues to attract a significant number of both domestic and international visitors.
Among the tourists, the British have once again topped the list of visitors to the region, which includes renowned destinations such as Bodrum, Marmaris, and Fethiye.
Mugla Governor İdris Akbiyik highlighted Mugla’s status as a global tourism haven, drawing visitors from numerous countries. “From January 1 to June 30, the number of tourists visiting the city reached 1,251,796, with 594,991 of them being British. The UK remains a key market for both Mugla and Turkiye. Following the UK, the highest numbers of tourists came from Russia with 116,623 visitors, Poland with 101,938, Germany with 80,923, the Netherlands with 30,134, and 327,187 from other countries,” Akbiyik stated.
Tourist Growth and Future Expectations
Akbiyik noted a 12% increase in foreign tourist numbers compared to the same period last year and expects this growth to continue in the coming months. Last year, Mugla hosted approximately 3 million tourists, with an additional 7 to 10 million domestic tourists visiting annually.
He emphasized the significant contribution of the UK as a major source market, reaffirming that the largest number of tourists to Mugla once again came from the UK this year. Akbiyik praised Mugla’s unique combination of sea, sand, sun, historical and natural beauty, ancient cities, and luxury accommodation, making it a standout among global tourism destinations.
Ongoing Attractions and Challenges
Highlighting the year-round cultural, artistic, and sports activities in Mugla, Akbiyik expressed plans to welcome more tourists this year compared to the previous year.
Suat Esin, Chairman of the Marmaris Regional Representation Committee of the Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TÜRSAB), echoed the importance of the UK market for Marmaris, noting a continuous increase in British tourists. “Our first flights from the UK started in the first week of March, and the number of British and Polish tourists has been increasing steadily since then, with a 12% rise compared to last year,” Esin said.
Despite the numerical growth, Esin raised concerns about the negative impact of recent price increases on tourism, stressing the need for immediate solutions from general and local governments to avoid significant future issues. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic that British tourists will continue to visit the region in the coming months.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz