Türkiye Aligns with Finland, Japan, South Korea, Norway and Germany as OECD Highlights Global Tourism Growth While Warning of Rising Climate, Geopolitical and External Demand Risks Shaping the Future of International Travel

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Pritam Nath

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July 5, 2026 19:47 GMT+5:30

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Türkiye is emerging as one of the world’s strongest tourism performers as international travel continues its post-pandemic expansion, according to the OECD’s Tourism Trends and Policies 2026 report. The country welcomed a record 64 million foreign visitors in 2025 and generated US$65.2 billion in tourism revenue, reinforcing its position as one of the leading global travel destinations. While international visitor demand remains robust, the OECD cautions that geopolitical uncertainty, climate-related disruptions and changing traveller behaviour are creating new challenges for tourism-dependent economies, including Türkiye.

The report also places Türkiye alongside high-performing tourism markets such as Finland, Japan, South Korea, Norway and Germany, highlighting broader shifts across global travel. Although tourism revenue is expected to climb further to US$68 billion in 2026, the OECD warns that Türkiye’s relatively low domestic tourism spending increases its exposure to fluctuations in international demand. The organisation urges destinations worldwide to strengthen resilience, diversify tourism markets and integrate climate adaptation into long-term tourism planning.

OECD Sees Continued Growth in Global Tourism Despite Rising Risks

The OECD forecasts international arrivals across OECD member countries to increase by 3.4% during 2025, reaching an estimated 847 million visitors and marking a new record for global tourism.

However, the organisation notes that the industry’s recovery is becoming increasingly complex as geopolitical tensions, regional conflicts, rising transport costs, security concerns and extreme weather events reshape travel patterns. Tourism authorities are being encouraged to develop flexible policies capable of responding rapidly to changing global conditions.

Finland, Japan and South Korea Lead International Visitor Growth

Several destinations recorded exceptionally strong tourism performance during 2025, driven by improved air connectivity, competitive pricing and renewed international demand.

Finland registered the fastest growth in international arrivals, followed closely by Japan and South Korea, while Norway also experienced double-digit visitor growth. In contrast, several mature tourism markets experienced declines as travel preferences shifted.

According to the OECD, expanded airline networks and the weaker Japanese yen significantly supported tourism growth across Japan and South Korea.

Climate Change and Security Concerns Are Reshaping Travel Decisions

The OECD highlights that tourists are increasingly choosing destinations based not only on attractions but also on climate resilience, affordability and safety.

Heatwaves, wildfires, storms and other extreme weather events are influencing when and where travellers book holidays. Many tourists now favour shorter trips, nearby destinations and locations perceived as more secure.

Several countries have already strengthened visitor safety through digital warning systems.

The OECD recommends incorporating early warning systems, emergency preparedness and climate risk assessments into future tourism planning.

OECD Encourages Sustainable Tourism Policies Across Destinations

Beyond visitor growth, the OECD believes tourism should generate stronger benefits for local communities.

The report recommends distributing visitor flows beyond traditional hotspots, increasing infrastructure investment and integrating tourism into wider regional development strategies. It also suggests that more destinations could introduce visitor management measures including tourist taxes, timed entry systems, visitor quotas and stronger promotion of off-season travel.

These policies aim to improve visitor experiences while reducing overtourism and supporting long-term destination sustainability.

Türkiye Records Strong International Tourism Performance While Domestic Travel Remains a Concern

Türkiye continues to strengthen its position among the world’s fastest-growing tourism economies.

Tourism contributed 5.1% of the country’s gross value added during 2024 while supporting 3.7% of total employment. In 2025, the country welcomed 64 million international visitors and generated a record US$65.2 billion in tourism revenue. The OECD expects tourism receipts to increase further to approximately US$68 billion during 2026.

Russia remained Türkiye’s largest inbound tourism market, followed closely by Germany and the United Kingdom.

Despite these achievements, the OECD identifies one structural weakness. Domestic tourism represents only 27% of Türkiye’s total tourism spending, making the sector more dependent on international travellers and therefore more vulnerable during periods of global economic or geopolitical disruption.

Domestic Tourism Recovery Still Has Room to Improve

The OECD notes that domestic travel within Türkiye is recovering but has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Domestic trips increased by 8.7% during 2024, reaching 66.8 million journeys. Nevertheless, this remains well below the 78.2 million domestic trips recorded before the pandemic, highlighting the importance of stimulating local travel demand alongside international tourism growth.

A stronger domestic tourism market would provide greater resilience against future external shocks while helping distribute tourism revenue more evenly throughout the country.

Outlook for Global Tourism in 2026

The OECD expects tourism to remain one of the world’s strongest economic sectors throughout 2026, but future growth will increasingly depend on resilience, sustainability and adaptive destination management.

Countries that successfully balance international visitor growth with climate preparedness, diversified source markets, stronger domestic tourism and community-focused policies are likely to achieve more sustainable long-term success. For Türkiye, continued investment in domestic travel alongside record international arrivals could strengthen its tourism industry against future global uncertainties while maintaining its status as one of the world’s leading travel destinations.

FAQS

1. What does the OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2026 report say about global tourism?
The report forecasts international tourist arrivals across OECD countries to grow by 3.4% in 2025, reaching approximately 847 million visitors.

2. How many international visitors did Türkiye welcome in 2025?
Türkiye welcomed a record 64 million international visitors during 2025.

3. How much tourism revenue did Türkiye generate in 2025?
Türkiye earned US$65.2 billion in tourism revenue during 2025.

4. What is the tourism revenue forecast for Türkiye in 2026?
The OECD expects tourism revenue to increase to approximately US$68 billion.

5. Which countries recorded the fastest tourism growth in 2025?
Finland, Japan, South Korea and Norway recorded the strongest increases in international visitor arrivals.

6. Why is the OECD concerned about Türkiye’s tourism sector?
The organisation says Türkiye depends heavily on international tourism because domestic tourism accounts for only 27% of total tourism spending.

7. Which countries send the most visitors to Türkiye?
Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom are Türkiye’s three largest inbound tourism markets.

8. What major risks could affect global tourism?
Geopolitical tensions, climate change, extreme weather, security concerns and rising transport costs are the principal risks identified by the OECD.

9. How are destinations adapting to climate-related tourism risks?
Many destinations are introducing early warning systems, emergency apps, heatwave response measures and climate-resilient tourism planning.

10. What policies does the OECD recommend for sustainable tourism?
The OECD recommends spreading visitors across regions, investing in infrastructure, promoting off-season travel, strengthening domestic tourism and implementing visitor management measures where necessary.