Turkey’s tourism sector recorded solid growth in the first quarter of 2026, with both visitor numbers and revenues increasing despite ongoing regional tensions. Data released by the Turkey Culture and Tourism Ministry shows that foreign tourist arrivals reached 6.84 million in Q1, marking a 2.2% increase year-on-year.
March Rebound Supports Quarterly Growth
Tourism activity strengthened in March, helping to offset earlier fluctuations in the year. Foreign arrivals rose 5% year-on-year to 2.46 million in March, following a slight decline in February and moderate growth in January. The rebound highlights the sector’s ability to recover quickly, even during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.
Including Turkish citizens living abroad, total visitor numbers reached approximately 9.22 million in the first quarter, representing a 4.25% increase compared to the same period last year. The number of Turkish nationals travelling to the country rose by 10.6%, reaching 2.38 million.
Tourism Revenues Near Key Milestone
Tourism income also showed steady growth, rising 4.2% year-on-year to nearly $9.9 billion USD in the first quarter, bringing revenues close to the $10 billion USD mark. The sector remains a major contributor to Turkey’s economy, providing critical foreign exchange earnings and supporting the current account balance.
Speaking in Istanbul, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy emphasised the importance of effective crisis management in sustaining tourism performance. He said: “The figures clearly demonstrate not only that Türkiye is a strong destination in tourism but also that it has a high capacity for crisis management.”
He added that while regional tensions impacted global tourism trends in February and March, visitor numbers to Turkey still increased – showing the sector’s resilience and popularity of Turkey’s tourist hotspots.
Top Source Markets Remain Stable
The leading source markets in the first quarter were: Germany with 678,000 visitors, Russia with 651,000 visitors, Bulgaria with 539,000 visitors, Iran with 527,000 visitors, and the United Kingdom with 314,000 visitors. These figures reflect Turkey’s continued appeal across both European and regional markets.
Turkey closed 2025 with 64 million total visitors and $65.2 billion USD in tourism revenue, and the government is targeting $68 billion USD in tourism income for 2026, indicating confidence in continued long-term growth.
Aleksandra Cihanoğlu 
Senior Advisor
Aleksandra Cihanoğlu is a Senior Advisor at Property Turkey and a regular contributor on topics including Citizenship by Investment, relocation, travel, and lifestyle opportunities in Turkey. Her writing focuses on helping international readers understand the practical realities of living, investing, and building a long-term future in the country.
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