Tourism in Turkey: The heat has negatively impacted cultural tourism

While last year, 700,000 domestic and foreign tourists stayed in Mardin, with a total of 2.7 million visitors, the number dropped to 350,000 stays and 1.3 million visitors in the first 8 months of 2023. A tourism professional said, “The heat particularly has a negative impact on cultural tourism. People prefer regions with access to the sea.”

Mardin attracts millions of visitors each year with its historical, cultural, and religious tourism, as well as its natural beauty and regional cuisine. The city’s streets, Mardin Museum, Kasımiye Madrasa, Deyrulzafaran Monastery, and the ancient settlement of Dara are among the most visited historical and cultural sites.

Due to higher-than-normal temperatures, the number of local and foreign visitors to the city has significantly decreased this year. Last year, Mardin hosted 700,000 tourists with overnight stays and a total of 2.7 million visitors. However, in the first 8 months of 2023, these numbers dropped to 350,000 stays and 1.3 million visitors.