Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly in Anatolia in West Asia, with a smaller part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe.It is located in Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia.Turkey’s tourism industry is experiencing a significant surge with the recent introduction of visa-free travel to 116 countries as of August 2024 update, including Singapore, the Bahamas, and Australia. This strategic initiative has opened up new opportunities for international travelers, making it easier to explore Turkey’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cities. As a result, Turkey is becoming an increasingly attractive destination, enhancing its global tourism appeal and fostering greater connectivity with the world.

Surge in Turkish Outbound Travel: 11.2 Million Citizens Traveled Abroad in 2023, Up from 2.8 Million in 2021

The number of citizens visiting destinations abroad from Turkey declined by roughly 72 percent in 2021 over 2019 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Overall, approximately 2.8 million Turkish residents traveled abroad in 2021, while outbound travelers from Turkey peaked at nearly 10 million in 2019. In 2023, the figures reached a peak value of 11.2 million.

Turkiye’s Robust Economic Performance: GDP Reaches 90,711.84 Crores USD in 2022

In 2022, Turkiye demonstrated impressive economic growth with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching 90,711.84 crores USD. This significant figure highlights the country’s robust economic performance and resilience in the face of global economic challenges.

Expansive lists of Visa-Free Travel:

Visa-Free countries of Turkiye

• Albania
• Angola
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Azerbaijan
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belarus
• Belize
• Bolivia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Botswana
• Brazil
• British Virgin Islands
• Brunei
• Chile
• Colombia
• Cook Islands
• Costa Rica
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• eSwatini
• Fiji
• Georgia
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Hong Kong (SAR China)
• Iran
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kosovo
• Kyrgyzstan
• Macao (SAR China)
• Madagascar
• Malaysia
• Mauritius
• Micronesia
• Moldova
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• Nicaragua
• Niue
• North Macedonia
• Oman
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Rwanda
• Samoa
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Singapore
• South Africa
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• Thailand
• The Gambia
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tunisia
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Ukraine
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
• Venezuela

VOA

• Armenia
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Cape Verde Islands
• Comoro Islands
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Guinea-Bissau
• Indonesia
• Kuwait
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Maldives
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritania
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Palau Islands
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

ETA

• Kenya
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• South Korea
• Sri Lanka

Airports in Turkiye

• Istanbul Airport (IST) is the busiest in Turkiye, handling over 76 million passengers annually. It serves as a major hub for international and domestic flights, connecting numerous destinations worldwide.
• Antalya Airport (AYT) caters to around 35 million passengers each year, primarily driven by its popularity as a key tourist destination. It is one of the busiest airports in Turkiye during the summer season.
• Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB), serving the capital city, handles approximately 13 million passengers annually. It is a critical hub for both governmental and business travel within the country.
• Dalaman Airport (DLM) sees around 4 million passengers each year, mainly serving tourists visiting the southwestern coast of Turkiye. It is a crucial gateway for holiday destinations like Marmaris and Fethiye.
• Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) manages about 13 million passengers annually, supporting the economic and touristic activities of Turkiye’s third-largest city.

Turkey’s Airline Industry

Turkey’s aviation sector comprises a mix of national, low-cost, and charter carriers. Ranging from major global players to smaller regional operators, the industry caters to both domestic and international travelers. These airlines collectively transport millions of passengers annually, contributing significantly to the country’s tourism and economy.

Airlines in Turkiye

• Turkish Airlines-As Turkey’s national carrier, Turkish Airlines is a major global player, transporting millions of passengers yearly. It is one of the world’s largest airlines in terms of passenger numbers, with around 75 million passengers annually.
• AJet-A relatively new airline based in Turkey, AJet serves domestic and regional routes. With a smaller fleet, it carries approximately 500,000 passengers annually.
• Corendon Airlines-A Turkish leisure airline, Corendon Airlines operates both scheduled and charter flights. It transports around 2 million passengers yearly.
• Pegasus Airlines-As one of Turkey’s leading low-cost carriers, Pegasus Airlines boasts a significant passenger base, carrying approximately 30 million passengers annually.
• Southwind Airlines-Primarily focused on charter flights, Southwind Airlines carries around 1 million passengers each year, serving various tourist destinations.

• SunExpress-A joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, SunExpress is a popular airline for both Turkish and international travelers, transporting approximately 10 million passengers annually.

Turkey’s Cruise Industry Booming

Large-scale cruise tourism in Turkey has witnessed significant growth. Approximately 1.2 million passengers embark on these voyages annually, exploring diverse Mediterranean and international destinations.

Cruises in Turkey:

• Large cruise ships departing from Turkey have seen a surge in popularity. These cruises offer extensive itineraries covering Mediterranean and international destinations.
• Blue Cruises, known for their intimate and scenic routes along Turkey’s southwestern coast. These cruises provide a unique and luxurious way to explore the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.
• River cruises in Turkey, particularly along the Bosphorus and other scenic waterways. These cruises offer a relaxing and picturesque way to experience Turkey’s natural beauty and historical sites.

Turkiye‘s tourism industry is flourishing, driven by its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and strategic initiatives such as visa-free travel to numerous countries. The surge in cruise tourism, coupled with the popularity of various cruise types, underscores the country’s appeal to international travelers. Key destinations like Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir continue to attract millions of visitors annually, boosting the nation’s economy. With continuous efforts to enhance travel experiences and infrastructure, Turkiye is set to remain a top global tourist destination, welcoming travelers from around the world.