New Tourism Record Expected for 2025 as Industry Gathers Momentum
The Turkish tourism sector, which has had a strong start to 2025 with high demand during New Year’s, mid-term school holidays, and Ramadan, is now preparing for a record-breaking year in both visitor numbers and tourism revenue. Early booking trends and continued interest ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday signal a promising summer season.
Ambitious Targets for 2025
Mehmet İşler, Vice President of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED), stated that Turkish tourism has been advancing year by year and emphasized that 2023 was the best year for the sector so far. For 2025, the goal is to set new all-time records, aiming to host 65 million tourists and generate $64 billion in revenue.
He noted that in previous years, Turkey had a high number of visitors but relatively low income. However, thanks to the efforts of the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, the country has significantly improved its international image and marketing. Now, Turkey is no longer just a budget-friendly destination but is recognized as a high-quality, high-value tourism hub offering real value for money.
Turkey has moved up from being one of the top 10 tourism destinations globally to being in the top 5, and İşler says the industry is aiming even higher—to be among the top 3 tourism destinations in the world.
He also referenced a recent statement by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, who declared that Turkey is committed to achieving the 2025 targets. İşler expressed full confidence in reaching these figures, citing strong demand from Germany and the UK, and expecting increased bookings from Russia. He also noted impressive growth from new markets such as East Asia, the U.S., and Latin America.
Quality as a Key Competitive Advantage
Engin Ceylan, Board Member of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), highlighted Turkey’s position as a major global tourism destination, with expected increases in tourist arrivals from China, Germany, and the UK.
Ceylan pointed out that beyond the classic “sea-sand-sun” tourism, other segments such as health, cultural, and gastronomic tourism are also gaining momentum. This diversification not only expands Turkey’s appeal but also boosts both visitor numbers and revenue.
Although Turkey’s prices may now be higher and closer to other countries’ levels, Ceylan emphasized that the quality of service is unmatched. He described Turkish tourism as being superior in both quality and quantity compared to many competitors.
He predicted a 10–15% growth over last year’s record-breaking performance and expected 2025 figures to surpass those of 2024.
