Turkey Reports Q3 Tourism Revenue Growth Despite Decline in Visitor Numbers

ANKARA, Nov 1 (OPA) — The Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) reported that the country hosted 23.25 million visitors between July and September 2026, a 1.6% decrease compared to the same period last year. Despite the lower volume, tourism revenue climbed to $25.52 billion. The average nightly expenditure per visitor reached $107, with $17 billion attributed to personal spending and $8 billion to package tours.

Sectoral data reveals a significant shift in spending patterns, particularly within the health tourism segment, which saw a 23.6% increase. This growth suggests Turkey is strengthening its position as a global hub for medical services. Meanwhile, Turkish citizens traveling abroad increased by 24.2% to 4.2 million people, leading to a 22.6% rise in outbound tourism expenditure, totaling $3.04 billion.

Expatriates remain a significant demographic, accounting for 13.6% of total arrivals with over 3 million visitors. Approximately 63.9% of these travelers visited Turkey to see friends and family. Their average nightly expenditure of $68 remains lower than the national average, which continues to influence overall per-capita spending metrics.

Turkish residents are increasingly opting for international travel, with the average expenditure per citizen reaching $723 during the third quarter. This trend reflects a broader change in travel habits as domestic demand for outbound tourism continues to rise alongside the country's established role as a primary destination for international visitors.