32 million tourists visited Turkey in the first nine months of 2018

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Latest data indicate significant signs of recovery for the first three quarter of 2018 for Turkey’s tourism industry. There was a 23-percent increase year on year and the country hosted nearly 32 million tourists in the first nine months of 2018 as per the figures released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The revenue was up by 13.9 percent as per the Turkish Statistical Institute generating 22.9 billion U.S. dollars.

The Turkish Statistical Institute, meanwhile, reported 22.9 billion U.S. dollars in revenue during the period, up 13.9 percent.

Firuz Baglikaya, chairman of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies said that they can say that 2018 is a year in which Turkey’s tourism sector finally recovered and got acceleration.

At the end of the year Turkey is expected to host a total of 40 million foreign tourists and the sector aims at attracting more than  50 million tourists in 2019.

Russia had sent 5.1 million visitors to Turkey between January and October which was followed by Germany (3.6 million) and Britain (1.9) million.

After suffering a spate of attacks, political uncertainty and bad relations with Germany Turkey’s tourism industry is rebounding.

Baglikayahe said referring to congress tourism, cruise, sports, golf and health tourism on top of the traditional sea, sand and sun.  He said that they were working to increase the diversity of their tourism products and keep activities throughout the year.

The newly inaugurated Istanbul Airport has potential to boost tourist arrivals in Turkey in the days ahead. There will be new slots for world airline by the new airport that will operate in long-haul destinations that will bring more long distances.

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