Antalya Tourism Continues to Thrive in 2025, Driven by Strong Demand from Ukraine, Russia, and Expats, with Growing Off-Season Travel

Published on December 11, 2025

Turkey’s One of the favorite tourist destinations, Antalya, is winding down 2025 with a small increase in tourist arrivals, thanks mostly to a successful revival in Ukrainian tourist visits. A total of 421,000 Ukrainian tourists came to Antalya in the first 11 months of 2025, which represents a 23% increase from 2024, reported industry officials.

Record High Visitor Numbers in Antalya: Expatriates and Key Markets Lead Growth

Despite the regional challenges and global economic pressures, Antalya has surpassed last year’s figures, welcoming 16.79 million visitors in the first 11 months of 2025, marking a 1.1% increase year-over-year. This growth was supported by tourists from Germany, Russia, and more than one million Turkish expatriates, who were critical in achieving this milestone.

Germany remains a dominant source market, with nearly 3.5 million German visitors, while Russia approaches 4 million arrivals, both achieving the highest levels since the pandemic. The United Kingdom continues to be a key player with over 1.5 million visitors, and Poland saw a rise to 1.27 million, reflecting growing interest from Eastern Europe. The expatriate market, exceeding 1 million arrivals for the first time, remains resilient, with over 1.03 million Turkish citizens living abroad vacationing in Antalya.

Expatriate Tourism: A Pillar of Antalya’s Resilient Visitor Base

Expatriate tourism has been one of Antalya’s most resilient sources of visitor arrivals. In the first 11 months of 2025, 1.03 million Turkish expatriates visited Antalya, reinforcing the city’s status as a top destination for Turkish nationals living abroad. Over the past five years, the city has welcomed 3.8 million expatriates, highlighting the importance of this market in Antalya’s long-term tourism strategy.

The expatriate tourism sector not only contributes to visitor numbers but also plays a significant role in promoting cross-cultural exchange and ensuring year-round tourism. This market has become a stable source of business and continues to support local hospitality and tourism-related services.

Growth in Off-Season Tourism: The Rise of the “Golden Autumn”

Antalya’s off-season tourism is showing strong growth, particularly in the October-November period, now branded as the “golden autumn”. During this time, the city welcomed 2.7 million visitors, a 6% increase from the previous year. This seasonal growth is crucial for extending Antalya’s tourism season, which traditionally peaks in the summer months.

With its mild autumn weather and a growing list of cultural events, Antalya is increasingly attracting visitors during the shoulder seasons. The growth of off-season tourism will help spread demand more evenly throughout the year, reducing the pressure on high-demand months and supporting consistent business for local hotels, restaurants, and tourism operators.

Tourism and Regional Economic Impact

The growing tourist arrivals in Antalya will have a lasting economic impact on local businesses and the region’s economy. More visitors translate to increased spending in areas like hotels, transport, local attractions, and restaurants. This will support job creation in the hospitality sector and tourism-related services.

The tourism boom is particularly important for rural areas in Antalya, as increased visitors to these regions will help alleviate seasonal pressures and provide steady income sources for local economies throughout the year. Improved tourist flow to lesser-visited areas also supports regional development, creating new opportunities for small businesses and further enhancing the city’s tourism resilience.

Future Prospects: Building a Sustainable and Resilient Tourism Sector

Looking ahead, Antalya is well-positioned to capitalize on future tourism growth. The city’s tourism sector is expected to benefit from increased air connectivity, sustainable tourism practices, and a focus on diverse tourist offerings. As international markets like Russia, Germany, and the UK continue to play a role in Antalya’s tourism success, the focus on regional development, culinary tourism, and eco-tourism will help the city stand out as a competitive and sustainable destination.

The rise in off-season tourism provides an opportunity to extend the season and ensure a more consistent flow of visitors year-round, reducing the typical dependence on summer months. The continued emphasis on diversifying tourism products—from wellness and cultural tourism to nature tourism—will contribute to sustainable growth, attracting a broader range of visitors who are looking for unique and immersive experiences.

Antalya’s Growing Role in Global Tourism

The tourist industry in Antalya is set for further expansion, with a sharp revival in the Ukrainian market, growing spending by expatriates, and a growing interest in low season visits. Through investments in regional tourist development, luxury tourist experience, and eco-tourism, Antalya is set to continue being a premier tourist destination. With further diversification, Antalya will continue to make a prominent impact in the tourist industry in the years to come.