Turkey has strengthened its position among the world's leading destinations by continuing its growth in international tourism. According to the OECD's Tourism Trends and Policies 2026 report, Turkey ranked fourth in this area, after Japan, Norway, and Denmark, by increasing its international visitor numbers by 21 percent between 2019 and 2025.

OECD Announces Continued Growth in Global Tourism

According to the report, the number of international tourists to OECD countries reached a record high of 847 million in 2025, an increase of 3.4 percent. However, geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, and climate-related risks continue to exert pressure on the sector.

Turkey Maintains Growth Despite Crises

TÜRSAB President Firuz Bağlıkaya stated that tourism is one of the sectors most rapidly affected by global developments, and that Turkey has maintained its international competitiveness thanks to its strong crisis management.

"Turkey possesses a strong tourism ecosystem that has successfully managed numerous global and regional crises, all distinct from one another. The most significant factor behind this success is the crisis management experience gained over the years by our travel agencies and sector stakeholders operating directly on the ground," he said.

Targeting Higher Added Value

Bağlıkaya emphasized that Turkey should focus on increasing not only visitor numbers but also tourism revenue and per capita spending in the coming period. He stated that the development of alternative areas such as culture, gastronomy, health, congress, sports, cruise, and nature tourism will contribute to both spreading tourism throughout the 12 months and generating higher revenue.

He also pointed out that cruise tourism and the strong international connections offered by Istanbul Airport are among the important factors that increase Turkey's competitive advantage. Visual: © Illustration generated by artificial intelligence