Türkiye's tourism sector achieved a historic milestone in the first half of 2025. According to Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the country welcomed 26.39 million international visitors in the first six months of the year, marking a 1% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The top source markets for inbound tourism were Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Tourism revenues also reached unprecedented levels. Minister Ersoy stated, “This was the highest tourism revenue ever recorded in the first half of any year in the history of the Republic. We generated $25.8 billion, and we are steadily moving toward our year-end target of $64 billion.”
Looking ahead, the tourism season is expected to remain strong through autumn. Minister Ersoy noted that reservations for September, October, and November are currently above seasonal norms, indicating continued high demand in the coming months.
In a bid to merge tourism with cultural engagement, a new initiative called “A Festival of Anatolia” will be launched across five cities in Türkiye. The government will mobilize all cultural assets—state theaters, opera and ballet companies, and cinemas—to enrich the artistic landscape in selected regions.
This project aims to strengthen tourism through cultural diplomacy, highlighting Turkey not just as a travel destination, but also as a hub of cultural and artistic experiences.
These achievements and initiatives underline Turkey’s firm progress toward sustainable growth in tourism and its evolving role in the global travel market.
Source: NTV
