Antalya has welcomed more than 10 million foreign tourists since the beginning of 2026, maintaining its position as one of Turkey's leading international destinations. Tourism operators are now looking towards a busy autumn, with two major international events expected to extend demand beyond the traditional summer season.
Antalya Passes 10 Million International Visitors
More than 10 million overseas tourists visited Antalya between January 1 and August 21, with Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom remaining the city's three leading international source markets. The milestone comes despite a more challenging year for tourism following geopolitical disruption in neighbouring markets.
Kaan Kaşif Kavaloğlu, Head of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB), said arrivals were 6% lower than last year and acknowledged that Antalya could finish 2026 around one million visitors behind the previous year's total.
Nevertheless, the industry is continuing efforts to maximise the remainder of the season, with major international events offering an opportunity to generate additional demand during months when traditional leisure tourism would normally begin to moderate.
International Events to Extend Antalya Tourism Season
Antalya is preparing to host the 77th International Astronautical Congress in October at the NEST Congress Center in Belek, bringing together participants and organisations from across the global space industry. Tourism representatives expect the event to generate significant accommodation demand across the surrounding resort areas.
Kavaloğlu said: "In October, we will host the 77th International Astronautical Congress at the NEST Congress Center in Antalya's Belek district. We consider it very important that all stakeholders in this sector will come together in Antalya and Turkey."
Attention will then turn to COP31, scheduled for November 9 to 20. Preparations are underway at Antalya's EXPO site, with government ministries, municipalities, private businesses, and civil society organisations working towards an event expected to become one of the largest international gatherings hosted in Turkey.
Hotel Occupancy Recovers During Peak Season
Antalya's hotels experienced weaker conditions during parts of May and June as regional conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty affected tourism demand. However, occupancy rebounded during July and August, supported by international arrivals and strong activity from Turkey's domestic tourism market.
Hotel bookings linked to the upcoming international events are also building, particularly in Belek and Kundu. With the International Astronautical Congress followed by COP31, Antalya's tourism industry is preparing for an unusually active autumn that could help compensate for some of the challenges experienced earlier in 2026.
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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