In an impressive rebound from the pandemic, Türkiye’s tourism sector has witnessed a significant upswing, with foreign tourist arrivals reaching a record high of 46.7 million from January through November. This surge surpasses the pre-pandemic level of 42.9 million, marking a 10.82% increase over the previous year. Including more than 6 million Turkish citizens residing abroad,the total visitor count for the same period stands at 52.74 million.
A Slight Dip Amid Continuing Growth
Despite a mild 1% decline in November, the first since the pandemic’s onset, Türkiye continued to attract a substantial number of foreign tourists. Approximately 2.5 million foreign visitors arrived in the country in November, exceeding the 2.2 million in November 2019. This demonstrates the resilience and appeal of Türkiye’s tourism sector, even amidst global uncertainty.
Driving Economic Recovery
Tourism, a vital revenue stream for Türkiye, contributes about 10% to the nation’s GDP and provides employment to approximately 1.7 million people in accommodation and food services. The government, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is leveraging this momentum to reduce the current account deficit and address inflation. The administration had set an ambitious target of 60 million arrivals for the year, driven by robust tourism income that surged over 20% to $42 billion in the January-September period.
Key Contributors to Tourism Success
European holidaymakers, particularly from Germany and the United Kingdom, along with Russian tourists affected by Western flight restrictions over Ukraine, have significantly contributed to this year’s tourism success. Istanbul and Antalya, with their rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, remain top destinations, welcoming the largest shares of foreign visitors.
Additionally, Türkiye’s commitment to environmental sustainability, including the Zero Waste project and a pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2053, has further augmented its appeal to environmentally conscious tourists.
Source: bnnbreaking