Since the beginning of this year, more than 16 million foreign tourists have visited Turkey, which is 185.7 percent more than in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism of Turkey.
The largest number of foreign tourists came to Turkey from Germany, followed by Russia and Great Britain.
“In the first six months, 16.365 million tourists visited Turkey, which is 185.72 percent more than in the same period last year,” the ministry said in a statement.
The largest number of tourists came to Turkey from Germany – more than 2 million, which is 293 percent more than the previous year. Russia took second place with 1.455 million tourists, which is almost 100 percent more. Great Britain came in third place with 1.264 million tourists, an increase of 464 percent.
Turkish Culture Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said yesterday that Turkey plans to welcome 47 million tourists next year, up from 42 million this year. Turkey’s tourism revenue is expected to reach $37 billion in 2023, up from $35 billion at the end of this year, the BTA said.