Russian Tourist Arrivals in Turkey Grows by More than Two Percent to Nearly Six and a Half Million Visitors in this Year with Antalya Leading as its New Destination in Growing Tourism Sector

Published on November 30, 2025

Russia was the leading source for international visitors to Turkey, with 6.39 million Russian tourists arriving between January and October 2025, up 2.25% year-on-year. Such an increase indicates very strong demand for all that Turkish tourism has to offer. Total foreign arrivals into Turkey showed a slight overall fall of 0.1%, though Russia’s performance underlines the country’s current dominant position as a key source market for Turkish tourism.

Antalya Dominates as the Preferred Destination for Russian Tourists

Antalya, located along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, continues to dominate Russian tourist interest. From January to October 2025, 3.89 million Russian tourists visited the city, marking a 3.3% increase from the same period in 2024. This accounted for 60.8% of all Russian arrivals to Turkey.

Antalya’s enduring popularity among Russian visitors is attributed to its long tourist season, affordable all-inclusive holiday packages, and its stunning beaches and luxury resorts. As a major holiday destination for Russian tourists, Antalya continues to be the primary gateway for Russia’s growing travel market to Turkey.

Mixed Results in Other Regions of Turkey

While Antalya has seen consistent growth, other regions in Turkey showed mixed results in terms of Russian arrivals. For instance, Muğla, a southwestern province home to popular destinations like Bodrum and Marmaris, saw a 2.5% decline in Russian visitors, totaling 398,621 during the period. This decline points to a shift in consumer preferences towards more affordable alternatives, with tourists opting for destinations that offer lower-cost accommodations and accessible travel options.

Despite this, Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city and primary air transit hub, continued to attract approximately 1.7 million Russian visitors, representing 26.6% of total Russian arrivals to the country. Istanbul remains an important tourism and business center for Russian travelers, offering a rich blend of historical sites, modern amenities, and cultural experiences.

October Sees Sharp Surge in Russian Arrivals

October marked the peak month for Russian tourism in Turkey, with a significant 11.4% increase in arrivals compared to October 2024. 865,472 Russian tourists visited Turkey during the month, driven by the mild weather conditions during the Mediterranean “velvet season”, which is considered the ideal time for travel in regions like Antalya. This surge reflects growing demand during the shoulder season, particularly for affordable vacations in Turkey’s coastal regions.

In total, 5.68 million foreign visitors entered Turkey in October 2025, marking a 4.3% year-on-year increase. Among these, Russians were the second-largest group of visitors, following Germany. This seasonal surge further demonstrates the increasing appeal of Turkey as a year-round destination for Russian tourists.

Strong Performance from Key European Markets

While Russia remained the leading source market, other European countries showed positive growth as well. Germany contributed 6.2 million visitors to Turkey, up 1.9%, while the United Kingdom saw 4.05 million visitors, reflecting an increase of 2.25%. Iran and Bulgaria also ranked among Turkey’s top five markets, contributing 2.55 million and 2.31 million visitors, respectively.

Together, these five key markets accounted for 45.5% of all foreign arrivals to Turkey, showcasing Turkey’s position as a preferred destination for a broad range of international visitors, with strong growth from both Western Europe and neighboring countries.

Tourism’s Economic Impact: Contributing to Growth and Resilience

The tourism sector’s growth continues to play a critical role in Turkey’s economic recovery and resilience. With Russian tourists representing a substantial share of the market, particularly in Antalya, the country’s tourism revenues are expected to remain strong. Tourism-related businesses, from hospitality to transportation, benefit directly from the increase in visitor numbers, contributing to job creation and local economic growth.

Turkey’s tourism sector remains a pillar of the national economy, offering significant potential for investment and sustainable development. As international interest grows, Turkey’s tourism infrastructure will continue to evolve, ensuring that the country can handle the increasing number of travelers while preserving its natural and cultural resources.

Targeting 65 Million Visitors and $64 Billion in Tourism Revenue

Turkey has set ambitious targets for 2025, aiming to attract 65 million visitors and generate $64 billion in tourism revenue by year’s end. The positive growth in Russian arrivals contributes directly to the realization of these targets, reinforcing Turkey’s role as one of Europe’s top tourism hubs. With increased connectivity, destination marketing, and improvements in tourism infrastructure, Turkey is well on its way to meeting these goals.

As part of its efforts to position itself as a global tourism leader, Turkey continues to focus on expanding its reach in key markets such as Russia, Germany, and the UK, while also attracting travelers from emerging markets across Asia and the Middle East. This strategic focus ensures that Turkey remains an attractive and competitive destination in the global tourism landscape.

Turkey’s Growing Role as a Top Global Tourism Destination

Russian tourists to Turkey continue to grow strongly, with Antalya being far ahead of other destinations among Russian travelers. The growth in the number of visitors and the sharp rise in demand even in peak months-October-is yet another sign of the enduring attractiveness of Turkey’s tourism product. While there are setbacks in some regions, Turkey’s overall tourism performance remains resilient, with continued growth expected from Russia, Europe, and other international markets.

With natural beauty and a rich culture, backed by the goal of Turkey to reach its targets for tourism by 2025, the country is bound to become one of the top destinations in the world for international travelers. With growth prospects and a sustainable tourism strategy in place, Turkey should remain one of the top global players in the tourism sector for many years.