Turkey Welcomes 5.6 Million Visitors in October as European Demand Surges

Turkey continues to strengthen its position as a global tourism powerhouse. Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy shared the country’s visitor statistics for October 2025, revealing solid growth and strong momentum from key European markets. According to the Ministry’s latest data, the number of foreign visitors arriving in October increased by 4.32 percent year-on-year, reaching 5,683,717.

This performance reinforces Turkey’s rising appeal across cultural, holiday, and travel segments and highlights the resilience of its tourism industry during the final quarter of the year.

Germany and Russia Lead Visitor Rankings

In October, Germany and the Russian Federation again ranked as the top two countries sending visitors to Turkey, with the United Kingdom securing third place. Minister Ersoy announced that arrivals from Germany grew by 6.20 percent, while arrivals from Russia increased by 11.44 percent compared with October of last year.

These three countries continue to play a pivotal role in sustaining Turkey’s tourism ecosystem. Their combined visitor volume reflects consistent interest in Turkey’s coastline, cultural destinations, and urban experiences.

The United Kingdom’s stable rise in visitor numbers also underscores the expanding holiday preferences of British travelers, who increasingly opt for Turkey’s warm climate, competitive pricing, and comprehensive tourism infrastructure during the autumn season.

Over 55 Million Visitors in the First Ten Months

Ersoy reported that Turkey hosted a total of 55,676,237 visitors during the first ten months of 2025. Of this number, foreign travelers accounted for 47,252,314.

A noteworthy detail from the Ministry’s analysis shows that the overwhelming majority of these visitors, 96.20 percent, arrived for tourism purposes, including cultural travel, sightseeing, and leisure holidays. This high percentage highlights Turkey’s strong brand identity in global tourism markets and its ability to attract visitors who are seeking diverse travel experiences.

From ancient historical sites and UNESCO World Heritage Sites to luxury resorts and year-round cultural offerings, Turkey continues to meet the expectations of a wide-ranging international audience.

Turkey Strengthens Its Global Tourism Appeal

Minister Ersoy emphasized Turkey’s increasingly competitive position in world tourism. He stated:
“Turkey continues to strengthen its global brand value with its visitor profile, tourism diversity, and ever-growing international recognition.”

This assessment reflects long-term strategic investments across the tourism ecosystem, including upgraded hospitality infrastructure, improved transportation accessibility, and expanded cultural programming.

Turkey’s ability to maintain strong growth from major European markets, especially Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom, is seen as an indicator of the country’s stable and attractive tourism environment. Despite fluctuations in global travel trends, rising seasonal competition and shifting consumer behavior, Turkey has consistently preserved its international momentum.

Seasonal Momentum Highlights Visitor Confidence

The October results also show that Turkey’s tourism performance is not solely dependent on the summer months. Increasing interest in autumn travel demonstrates the country’s success in promoting alternative tourism categories such as cultural tours, gastronomic travel, sports tourism, and city breaks.

Visitors continue to seek out destinations such as Antalya, Istanbul, Cappadocia, and the Aegean region, where favorable weather, cultural attractions, and expanding flight connectivity support year-round demand.

The continuation of traveler growth into late autumn underscores strengthened visitor confidence, diversified tourism offerings, and effective international promotion strategies implemented by the Ministry.

A Promising Outlook for 2026

As global competition intensifies, Turkey’s upward trajectory suggests a positive outlook for the remainder of 2022 and 2026. Expanding flight routes, strategic partnerships, digital tourism campaigns, and increasing diversification across source markets are expected to further fuel growth.

With more than 55 million visitors already recorded in the first ten months and robust interest from European travelers, Turkey appears on track to close the year with historic tourism numbers. The country’s ability to attract visitors seeking culture, leisure and holiday experiences strengthens its standing as one of the world’s most dynamic tourism destinations.