Türkiye Welcomes 9.2 million International Visitors in Q1 2026, with Irish Arrivals up 17% Year-on-Year

Influx marks 4.2% increase in international visitor numbers for first quarter the year.

Mediterranean tourism hub also recorded €8.4 Billion tourism revenue.

Türkiye experienced a 4.2% rise in international visitors for the first three months of 2026, totalling 9.2 million people – and it has reported an impressive €8.4 billion in tourism revenue for the first quarter, which is a 4.2% increase compared to the same period last year.

In the first quarter of 2026, Irish visitor numbers increased by 17%, reaching a total of 23,049 tourists compared to the same period the previous year.

UK visitor numbers rose by 3.43% in the first quarter of 2026, with a total of 314,306 British travellers recorded in the first three months compared to the same period last year.

Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, announced the new tourism statistics at a press conference in Istanbul.

In the first three months of the year, the country’s “average expenditure per night from visitors” increased to €87, a 2.8% increase. The figures for this period were €58 in 2017 and €85 in 2025.

In the first quarter of 2026, Turkey’s largest markets were Germany with 678,000, the Russian Federation with 651,000, and Bulgaria with 539,000 visitors.

Minister Ersoy said, “We are going through an extremely sensitive period on a global scale. Regional tensions, geopolitical developments, the negative impact of conflicts, and the resulting fluctuations in international travel movements are among the main factors directly affecting the tourism sector.

“Crises can and will always occur in our region; however, what is decisive here is how these periods are managed. Last year, we faced similar global developments and regional uncertainties. Despite this, we closed 2025 with 64 million visitors and tourism revenue of $ 65.2 billion. The figures clearly demonstrate that Türkiye is not only a strong destination in tourism but also possesses a high capacity for crisis management.

“We will continue on our path this year with the same determination and the experience we have gained. In the first three months of this year, we increased our international visitor numbers by 4.2% to 9.2 million, and our tourism revenues rose by 4.2% to 9.9 billion US dollars. We are directly monitoring reservation trends, cancellations, changes in travel plans, and consumer behaviours from the field. This allows us not only to analyse the current situation but also to develop market-specific, rapid, and effective actions”.

“International events happening in Türkiye showcase the country’s global allure”

Minister Ersoy added that Türkiye, especially Istanbul, is hosting and preparing for significant international sports and cultural events. These major events reinforce Türkiye’s reputation as a trusted and attractive global tourism destination.

He said, “İstanbul will return to the Formula 1^Ò calendar with the Turkish Grand Prix as of 2027. The UEFA Europa League Finals will be played in İstanbul on May 20^th. İstanbul’s stadiums and concert halls host performances by international stars, and we are seeing tens of thousands of European, Russian, Middle Eastern, and Asian visitors come to our country to attend these events. These international events are not only arts and sporting events; they are important levers that strengthen our country’s global tourism showcase”.