Turkey’s ambitious target of 60 million tourists and 60 billion euros in tourism revenue in 2024 was not only achieved but also exceeded. According to data from the country’s Statistical Institute (T??K), Turkey welcomed over 62 million visitors, generating revenue of 61.1 billion. dollars, 8.3% more than in 2023.
17% of the revenue came from Turkish citizens living abroad who visited their homeland for holidays. Personal spending amounted to $43.1 billion while spending on holiday packages reached $17.4 billion — an increase of 22.7% compared to 2023.
+9% Turkish tourists in 2024
The number of visitors to Turkey increased by 9%, reaching 62.2 million. Among them, 15.4% were Turkish citizens living abroad, responding to the government’s call to contribute to their spending to support the country’s economy.
The average spend per night was $97 per visitor, while Turkish citizens living abroad spent $63 per night during their visits.
Istanbul – photo source: pixabay.com
Tourism in Turkey boomed in Q4
The last months of 2024 recorded particularly strong results, with tourism revenues in the fourth quarter increasing by 14.5% to $13.8 billion. Almost 65% of visitors arrived for recreational, cultural or sporting activities, while Turkish citizens living abroad visited their country for family reasons.
Despite inflation and global economic uncertainties, spending on food and beverages increased by 7.4%, while international transportation expenses increased slightly by 0.9%.
Turks’ spending abroad decreased
While Turkey celebrates the increase in tourism revenues, Turks who travelled abroad spent less. Outbound tourism spending decreased by 8.2% to $7.7 billion, with personal spending amounting to $6.3 billion and organized tours accounting for $1.4 billion.
However, the number of Turkish travelers heading abroad continued to increase in 2024 – by 2.9% to 11.4 million, with an average spend of $680 per person.
Turkey is now emphasizing cultural tourism, gastronomy, and adventure travel, and tourism marketing experts are confident that the country’s upward trajectory will continue to be impressive.
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