A record number of 7 million tourists visited Turkey last month despite high inflation and constantly rising prices, according to data from the country’s Tourism Ministry.
The ministry data showed that there was a 2.6 percent increase in the number of tourists visiting Turkey in July compared to the same month last year, with 7,333,000 people traveling to the country this July.
In the January-July period, approximately 29 million tourists visited Turkey, an 8.27 percent increase compared to the same period of 2023.
German tourists topped the list of foreign nationals visiting Turkey in July with 1.04 million people, followed by Russians with 922,294 and Britons with 660,906.
In July 35 percent of the tourists’ first destination was the popular holiday resort of Antalya, while 25 percent visited İstanbul, 10 percent traveled to the northwestern border province of Edirne, 9 percent went to the holiday resort of Muğla in western Turkey and 4 percent chose İzmir on Turkey’s Aegean coast.
The record flow of tourists to Turkey comes despite reports in the media claiming reduced tourist activity in the country’s popular coastal holiday resorts due to high prices.
Turkey’s annual inflation, which stood at 61.7 percent in July, has significantly increased the cost of accommodation and dining for tourists as well as the price of entry tickets to archaeological sites and tourist attractions, prompting them to seek affordable alternatives elsewhere.
The high prices have been out of reach for most domestic tourists, who have been challenged by the high cost of living for several years, which makes it difficult for them to meet their basic needs, pay their rent and bills, let alone afford a holiday.
Bodrum Hoteliers Association (BODER) President Ömer Faruk Dengiz said last month that the number of domestic tourists arriving in the popular vacation spot has declined by 20 percent, compared to the first six months of 2023. However, he said there was a 30 percent increase in the number of foreign visitors to the city.
Turkey relies heavily on tourism revenue due to its ailing economy.
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey’s tourism revenues totaled $54.3 billion in 2023, rising 16.9 percent on a yearly basis while 57 million tourists, including Turkish citizens living abroad, visited the country last year, with a 11.1 percent year-on-year increase.