Turkey earns $25.7 billion in tourism revenue in the first half of 2026

Istanbul, July 31 (KUNA) -- Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Arsoy announced on Friday that Turkey generated tourism revenues of $25.746 billion during the first half of 2026, while welcoming 25.759 million tourists.

In a press conference where he reviewed tourism sector data for the first half of the year, Arsoy stated that tourism remains directly affected by economic fluctuations and regional tensions, particularly the escalation between Iran and the United States, Israeli occupation, and the resulting airspace closures and energy price volatility.

He added that the number of tourists arriving in Turkey reached 4.3 million in April, 5.7 million in May, and 6.5 million in June, reflecting sustained momentum in the sector’s performance during the second quarter of the year.

The minister clarified that Russia topped the list of countries sending the most tourists to Turkey during the first half of the year, with 2.65 million tourists, followed by Germany with approximately 2.44 million, and the United Kingdom with 1.58 million. (End) T.A. / M.N.F.