Foreign Tourist Arrivals in Turkey Drop 5% in July 2025

Türkiye, one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, witnessed a decline in the number of foreign visitors during July 2025. According to provisional data from the General Directorate of Security, the country hosted 6,969,546 foreign tourists in July, marking a 4.97% drop compared to the same month last year.

The slowdown comes despite expectations of a strong summer season, raising concerns in the tourism sector, which is a major contributor to Türkiye’s economy.

Breakdown of Tourist Arrivals by Region – July 2025

Among the provinces with the highest number of foreign arrivals in July, Antalya and Istanbul dominated once again, reflecting their position as the twin pillars of Turkish tourism. The top five provinces were:

• Antalya – 36.96% (2,575,914 visitors)

• Istanbul – 26.96% (1,879,266 visitors)

• Edirne – 10.21% (711,613 visitors)

• Muğla – 9.16% (638,242 visitors)

• Izmir – 3.72% (258,961 visitors)

Together, Antalya and Istanbul alone accounted for nearly two-thirds of all foreign arrivals, underlining their central role in Türkiye’s tourism landscape.

January–July 2025: A 2.1% Decline Overall

Looking beyond July, Türkiye recorded a 2.1% decrease in foreign visitors during the January–July 2025 period, compared to the same timeframe in 2024.

In total, 28,369,330 foreign tourists visited the country in the first seven months of the year. While the drop may appear modest, industry analysts emphasize that even small percentage declines translate into significant revenue losses given the scale of Türkiye’s tourism sector.

Top Provinces for January–July 2025 Arrivals

The seven-month data confirms Istanbul and Antalya as the leading gateways for international visitors. The distribution of foreign arrivals by province was as follows:

• Istanbul – 37.06% (10,514,855 visitors)

• Antalya – 29.53% (8,378,836 visitors)

• Edirne – 9.00% (2,552,273 visitors)

• Muğla – 6.46% (1,834,054 visitors)

• Izmir – 3.10% (879,319 visitors)

This pattern underscores Istanbul’s status as the cultural and commercial hub of Türkiye, while Antalya remains the country’s tourism capital with its beaches, resorts, and all-inclusive hotels attracting millions of holidaymakers.

Why the Decline Matters

The tourism sector is one of Türkiye’s most vital industries, generating billions in foreign exchange and providing employment across multiple sectors, from hotels and restaurants to transportation and retail.

A nearly 5% year-on-year drop in July, typically the peak month of the tourism season, signals potential challenges ahead. Industry experts cite several factors that may have contributed to the decline:

• Global economic slowdown, affecting disposable incomes in source markets.

• Geopolitical uncertainties in the region, which may influence travelers’ choices.

• Competition from Mediterranean rivals such as Greece, Spain, and Italy.

• Domestic factors, including pricing pressures and infrastructure challenges.

If the trend continues, tourism revenues for 2025 may fall short of government projections.

Antalya vs. Istanbul: Different Tourism Models

The data also sheds light on the divergent tourism models of Türkiye’s two top destinations:

• Antalya thrives as a leisure tourism hub, attracting package holidaymakers from Europe and Russia. Its dominance in July reflects the strength of the summer sun-and-sea model.

• Istanbul, by contrast, has a year-round appeal, driven by its history, culture, and shopping. Its share of total arrivals is higher in the January–July period, showing resilience outside the peak summer months.

Outlook for the Remainder of 2025

The final months of 2025 will be critical in determining whether Türkiye can reverse the decline. Analysts point out that September and October have grown increasingly important for the sector, as more travelers prefer shoulder-season trips to avoid peak crowds and high summer prices.

Industry stakeholders are also looking at the Chinese and Middle Eastern markets for growth, while continuing efforts to maintain strong inflows from Russia, Germany, and the UK—Türkiye’s traditional top sources of visitors.

A Warning Sign for Tourism

The decline of nearly 5% in July 2025 foreign arrivals and the 2.1% drop over the first seven months should serve as a warning for Türkiye’s tourism industry. While the sector remains globally competitive, the data highlights the need for diversification, stronger marketing, and long-term planning to safeguard its role as a key engine of the national economy.

If corrective steps are taken, the downturn may prove temporary. But without action, Türkiye risks losing ground in an increasingly competitive global tourism market.