Turkey Tourism Revenue Hits Record $65.2 billion USD

Turkey’s tourism sector delivered another record year in 2025, with total tourism income reaching $65.23 billion USD as visitor numbers rose above 63.9 million. Figures published by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) show that tourism revenue increased 6.8% year-on-year, while total arrivals grew 2.7% compared with 2024.

Higher Visitor Spending Drives Revenue Growth

Growth in tourism income was supported by rising per-visitor expenditure. Average spending per traveller reached $1,008 USD in 2025, up 3.7% from the previous year. Average daily spending was reported at $100 USD, indicating that visitors are not only returning in large numbers but also spending more during their stays.

Turkish tourism industry observers noted that the increase reflects stronger demand for higher-quality accommodation, longer stays, and broader spending across hospitality and leisure sectors.

Package Tours and Dining Lead Spending Categories

A breakdown of tourism income shows that package tours accounted for the largest share of overall revenue at 28.2%. Food and beverage spending followed at 21.1%, while international transportation represented 12.8% of total tourism income.

Package tours typically include pre-arranged combinations of flights, accommodation, and services – and remain an important component of Turkey’s tourism offering, particularly in popular coastal destinations.

Leisure Travel Remains Primary Motivation

Leisure and cultural travel continued to dominate visitor motivations in 2025. Trips for travel, entertainment, sports, and cultural activities made up 67.7% of total visits, highlighting the appeal of Turkey’s diverse tourism sector.

The data also showed that Turks living abroad and returning to visit relatives and friends accounted for 19.6% of arrivals to Turkey, while shopping-related visits represented 5.9%, according to the statistics agency.

Outbound Travel Spending Also Increases

At the same time, spending by Turkish citizens travelling abroad rose sharply. Outbound tourism expenditure climbed 24% to $9.6 billion USD in 2025, while the number of Turkish residents travelling internationally increased by 4.4% to 11.9 million.

With record revenue, rising visitor spending, and sustained international demand, the tourism sector remains one of the country’s most significant sources of foreign currency and economic activity heading into 2026.