Turkey achieves $25.7 billion in tourism revenues in the first half of 2026 - Sarmad

(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, coinciding with the arrival of 25.759 million tourists.

Arsoy, speaking at a press conference where he presented data on the tourism sector for the first half of the year, stated that tourism remains directly affected by economic fluctuations and regional tensions, particularly the escalation between Iran and the United States, as well as Israeli occupation, which has led to airspace closures and volatility in energy prices.

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 tourists, and then the United Kingdom with 1.58 million tourists.