
Market Report
Market Report: Turkey
Turkey is one of the leading tourism destinations in the world. It is where antiquity meets contemporary and it boasts stunning scenery as well as having a rich historical legacy.
Despite the political and economical crises in the past few years, in 2018 Turkey attracted more than a record number of 46 million tourists with its breath taking coastlines, iconic destinations and mouth watering Turkish cuisine.
Following a significant decline in tourism due to political and economic instability in 2016, Turkey's tourism sector began to show signs of recovery in 2017. Hotel occupancy increased by 2.5% to 60.9%, the average daily rate (ADR) rose from USD 71.75 to USD 74.55, and revenue per available room (RevPAR) saw a 6.5% increase to USD 45.42.
Travel and tourism contributed USD 98.4 billion to GDP in 2017, 11.6% of the total GDP, with projections for growth in the subsequent years.
Turkey’s Place in World Tourism
In 2018, Turkey welcomed 46.1 million tourists, making it the 7th most popular tourist destination globally according to the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. The tourism sector generated USD 29.3 billion, an 11% increase from 2017. Despite this growth, Turkey is still striving to reach the peak figures from 2014/2015 of over USD 31 million.
Diversifying Tourist Attractions
Efforts to diversify and expand tourist attractions have been made, with a focus on cultural and historical sites. Chinese tourism, in particular, saw a significant increase of 93% year-on-year. Prominent attractions include the ancient sites of Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia, with new sites like the 12,000-year-old Göbeklitepe temple gaining recognition.
Natural Beauties and Health Tourism
Turkey boasts numerous natural attractions, including Cappadocia’s chimneys, Pamukkale’s pools, and the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines. Additionally, Turkey ranks highly for geothermal resources, positioning itself as a leading destination for health and thermal tourism, with plans to increase bed capacity to 500,000 within four years.
Regional Highlights: Istanbul and Bodrum
Istanbul remains Turkey’s most populous city and a major cultural and financial hub, attracting 13.4 million tourists in 2018, a 24% increase from the previous year. Bodrum, often likened to St. Tropez, hosted nearly 14 million tourists, renowned for its blend of historical sites and modern amenities.
Infrastructure Developments
A significant infrastructure project is the expansion of Istanbul Airport, which aims to become a major global hub by 2025, servicing 350 destinations with 3,500 daily flights and creating 225,000 jobs. This project is expected to contribute significantly to Turkey’s GDP.
Outlook for 2019
The positive trend in tourism is anticipated to continue, with expectations of surpassing 50 million tourists. The industry is poised for further growth with targeted increases in German and Chinese visitors, as well as an emphasis on niche markets such as Indian wedding tourism.
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