Finishing a week-long tour of the Turkish Riviera and Antalya region, British envoy to Ankara, Jill Morris, has said that up to five million British nationals could visit Turkey this year – which would be a new record number.
Morris said: “One of the things that has struck me this year is the continuing growth in the number of British visitors coming to Turkey. In 2023, there were 3.3 million, last year, 4 and a half million, and we may look at another record year of five million British visitors to Turkey.”
Antalya Airport expansion attracts more tourism
Morris stated that the recent expansion of Antalya Airport would lead to an increase in the total number of visitors and travellers to the Antalya region. She said: “This expansion to increase the capacity of passengers from 35 million to 82 million was very significant.”
British travellers can travel to Antalya via direct flights from most major cities throughout the UK. Attracted by Blue Flag beaches, crystal-clear water, family-friendly amenities, and a tourism season that extends well beyond summer, Antalya is responsible for almost a third of all foreign visitors to Turkey.
Morris noted that British people love travelling to Antalya, not only for sea and sun, but for cultural tourism, outstanding nature, sports, and gastronomy. The diverse range of experiences makes Antalya a wonderful destination for people of all ages. As international tourism rebounds to above pre-pandemic levels, Turkey is expecting over 61 million tourists this year.
The UK and Turkey’s growing relationship
The UK and Turkey have an excellent working relationship with trade between the two countries reaching £26 billion GBP ($37 billion USD) in 2024. This makes Turkey the UK’s 16th biggest trading partner. Morris stated: “Our bilateral relationship continues to go from strength to strength across all sectors. Turkey for us is a priority. It’s a priority partner across the board.”
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