Data released from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), shows that tourism revenue in Turkey reached $26 billion during the first half of 2025 – up by 8.4% in the second quarter of the year alone, and 7.6% for the overall half of the year.
Record tourism revenue for first half of the year
Data showed that from January to June 2025, tourism revenue reached $25.78 billion USD, marking a new record for income received during the first half of the year – up by 7.6% over the first half of 2024. from April to June 2025, total income from tourism amounted to $16.3 billion USD, up by 8.4% compared to the same period in 2024.
Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Minister, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, noted that these increased figures came despite global challenges faced in 2025. He said: “It was a period marked by many global challenges. These factors were bound to impact the figures. However, thanks to the measures taken, we see that the data is positive compared to last year.”
He went on to say: “We expect September, October, and November to be above seasonal norms, and we anticipate higher bookings during those periods.”
High revenue targets for the end of the year
Speaking about tourism revenue targets for the year, Ersoy said: “Last year’s first six months’ revenue was $24 billion USD. This year’s first six months’ revenue reached $25.8 billion USD. Our year-end target is to increase from $61.1 billion USD last year to $64 billion USD.”
To achieve this, Turkey would need to increase revenue by 4.7% over the whole year, which seems highly obtainable given the 7.6% revenue increase obtained during the first half of the year. Ersoy noted that a significant surge in per capita revenue and longer average stays in Turkey had positively impacted total revenue so far this year.
Turkey’s Treasury and Finance Minister, Mehmet Simsek, also noted the increase and contribution of tourism to the Turkish economy. He said: “The tourism sector, which supports our goal of a sustainable current account balance, continues to strengthen our economy.”
Cameron Deggin 
Founder & CEO, Property Turkey
Cameron Deggin is Founder and CEO of Property Turkey. A former finance professional and FCCA-qualified accountant, he founded the company in 2001 after recognising Turkey’s investment potential. With more than two decades analysing Turkish real estate, Cameron regularly advises international investors and is quoted by media including the Financial Times and BBC.
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