Domestic tourism spending in Turkey increased by 34% year-on-year during the first quarter of 2026, reaching 102.3 billion Turkish Lira according to new figures published by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat). The growth highlights continued demand for travel within the country, with family visits and holidays accounting for most of the expenditure.
Family Visits and Holidays Drive Spending
Visiting family remained the largest reason for domestic travel, with Turkish residents spending 50.2 billion Turkish Lira during the first quarter, compared with 38.7 billion Turkish Lira in the same period last year. Family-related travel generated 9.65 million trips and 54.7 million overnight stays across the country.
Leisure travel also recorded strong growth, with spending on holidays, sightseeing, and entertainment reaching 33 billion Turkish Lira, up from 22.9 billion Turkish Lira a year earlier. Residents made 3.16 million leisure trips, resulting in more than 10.25 million overnight stays across the country.
Combined, family visits and holiday travel accounted for 83.3 billion Turkish Lira of the total domestic tourism expenditure, representing more than four-fifths of all travel spending during the first quarter of the year.
Millions of Overnight Stays Support Tourism Industry
TurkStat reported that domestic travellers generated 73.6 million overnight stays during the first three months of the year, providing an important contribution to hotels, restaurants, transport providers, and tourism businesses across Turkey.
While international tourism continues to attract attention, domestic travel remains a key pillar of the country's tourism economy by helping maintain visitor activity throughout the year, particularly during quieter periods before the summer season.
The increase in domestic travel also reflects growing confidence among Turkish consumers, with many choosing to explore destinations within the country for both leisure and family visits.
Strong Start for Turkey's Tourism Sector
The latest domestic tourism figures add to a series of positive indicators for Turkey's wider tourism industry in 2026. Rising domestic demand complements growth in international arrivals, helping support local economies and tourism-related businesses across the country's coastal regions, major cities, and inland destinations.
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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