Boost in Turkish Tourist Numbers Will Aid Erdogan's Economic Plan

The number of international tourists in Turkey jumped in July by a whopping 53% from a year ago. This number is not just closer, but has managed to surpass their pre-pandemic levels. The government believes that it was possible due to the unconventional economic policy, which also made it possible to earn a tourism revenue of $37 billion.

Turkey was swarming with 6.67 million foreign tourists in July and most of them were from Russia, Germany and The Great Brittain. Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some Western countries have imposed flight restrictions that affect travel to and from Russia. This prompted wealthy Russian visitors to Turkey as their preferred destination for travelling. Previously, Germans dominated the market with 2.99 million travellers, followed by 2.2 million Russians and 1.8 million Britons.

Ulke Atmaka, general manager of Invista Hotels in Belek, Antalya, said, “The number of Russians, in particular, is increasing day by day. Now we have about 80 daily flights from Russia to Antalya, and we know that number too. Will grow.”

According to Erdoğan’s economic plan, to combat high inflation and interest rates focus was placed on expanding the current account surplus, and tourism revenue is an indispensable factor of it. Seeing its potential, the year-end target was raised to 47 million tourists and $37 billion in tourism revenue by the tourism ministry in July.

Bulent Bulbuloglu, Vice President of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TUROFED), said, “July figures were strong and so is August. When we look at the current bookings, the number of flights and seats allotted by tour operators for September, October and November, it seems that the ministry’s targets will be achieved,”.

“Turkey has a huge price advantage over its European rivals. And no doubt, the recent weakness in the lira makes the country more attractive,” Added Bulbuloglu.

The total number of international visitors to Turkey grew 128% over the year to 23.03 million which, though, is impressive but still down from 2019’s 24.7 million.