Turkey Tourist Arrivals Rise 3.5% in January 2026

Turkey’s tourism sector continued its upward trajectory at the start of 2026, with foreign visitor arrivals rising by 3.48% year-on-year in January. According to data released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the country welcomed 2.25 million international tourists during the month as strong momentum carried over from a record-breaking 2025.

Iran and Russia Lead Source Markets

Data showed that Iran ranked as the largest tourism source market in January, accounting for 10.02% of total arrivals to Turkey. A total of 225,205 visitors travelled from Iran to Turkey during the month.

Russia followed closely with 220,160 total visitors, maintaining its position as one of Turkey’s most significant inbound markets. Bulgaria, Germany, and Georgia completed the top five source countries for January arrivals.

Record-Breaking 2025 Sets Strong Base

The January performance builds on a landmark year for the tourism sector. In 2025, Turkey welcomed 52.78 million foreign tourists, while total visitor numbers, including Turkish citizens living abroad and returning home, reached an all-time high of 63.94 million people.

Alongside this, tourism revenues climbed 6.8% year-on-year to reach $65.23 billion USD in 2025, exceeding the government’s Medium-Term Program target of $64 billion USD in total income for the year.

Revenue Target Set at $68 Billion USD for 2026

For 2026, the government has set an ambitious tourism revenue target of $68 billion USD, reflecting continued confidence in the sector’s growth potential. Tourism remains a key part of Turkey’s economy, contributing approximately 10% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounting for around 5% of total employment in the country. The industry also plays a vital role in supporting the country’s external balance, helping to narrow the current account deficit through foreign currency inflows.

Analysts expect Turkey’s tourism sector to maintain steady growth through 2026. Continued investment in infrastructure, destination marketing, and diversified tourism landmarks are expected to support visitor numbers and revenue growth in the months ahead.