Tourists Spend Nearly $5.9 Billion on Food in Turkey as Turkish Cuisine Continues to Shine

One of the best ways to experience Turkey is through its food, and international visitors clearly agree. From freshly prepared döner and traditional pide to crispy lahmacun and regional home-style dishes, Turkish cuisine continues to be one of the country’s biggest attractions.

New tourism figures show that eating and drinking was the largest spending category for foreign visitors during the first half of the year, highlighting the growing appeal of Turkey’s rich culinary heritage.

Food Remains the Top Tourist Expense

According to data compiled from the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey generated tourism revenue of $25.75 billion during the first six months of the year.

Of that total, spending on food and beverages reached almost $5.9 billion, making it the single largest category of tourist expenditure.

Visitors spent a total of $5.904 billion on dining between January and June, compared with $5.428 billion during the same period last year. That represents an increase of nearly nine percent, reflecting the continued popularity of Turkish cuisine among international travellers.

Whether enjoying street food in busy city centres or discovering authentic regional recipes in smaller towns, millions of visitors experienced the remarkable variety of flavours that Turkey has to offer.

Shopping Also Played a Major Role

Food was not the only area where visitors opened their wallets.

International tourists spent more than $2.19 billion on clothing and footwear during the first half of the year, confirming that shopping remains an important part of the travel experience in Turkey.

Souvenir purchases also contributed significantly, generating just over $890 million in revenue as travellers took home gifts and locally made products to remember their trips.

Culture and Other Activities Added to Tourism Revenue

Tourists also spent money on sports, education and cultural activities, which generated nearly $249 million in revenue during the January to June period.

Other travel-related expenses contributed a further $618 million, adding to Turkey’s strong overall tourism performance.

Turkish Cuisine Continues to Attract Global Visitors

For many travellers, discovering Turkey means discovering its food. Every region offers its own specialties, from famous street foods to traditional family recipes that have been passed down through generations.

As visitor numbers continue to grow, the country’s culinary traditions remain one of its strongest tourism assets, helping drive both visitor satisfaction and tourism revenue. With nearly $5.9 billion spent on food in just six months, Turkish cuisine continues to prove that it is much more than a meal. It is one of the highlights of any trip to Turkey.