Foreign tourists flocked to Antalya, resulting in 2.7 million hotel guests in June, equating to the city's total population.
In the bustling heart of June 2025, Turkey's tourism sector continued to attract visitors from around the globe. Despite a slight dip in hotel occupancy rates compared to the previous year, the country saw a rise in tourism revenue and overnight stays, indicating a robust demand for its offerings.
Antalya, Turkey's premier tourist destination, led the charge with an impressive 84.35% hotel occupancy rate. This figure, which was the highest among popular destinations, accommodated 2.69 million visitors, a number that nearly equates to the city's resident population.
Aydin, another popular destination, recorded the highest average overnight stays by foreign visitors, with tourists staying an average of 4.94 nights. Mugla, another tourism hotspot, had a lower average length of stay compared to Antalya and Aydin.
The increase in hotel capacity and a shift in tourism dynamics played significant roles in the decline in Turkey's overall hotel occupancy rate. More rooms available can lower the occupancy rate percentage even if the total number of overnight stays grows. Certain sectors such as shopping and dining tourism surged, while others like health tourism experienced a decline, possibly changing the distribution and length of stays.
This pattern is comparable to broader hotel industry trends seen in other countries in 2025, where average daily rates increased, raising revenue but causing occupancy rates to stabilise or slightly decline percentage-wise due to supply growth.
Despite the dip in occupancy rates, Turkey's tourism industry remained resilient. From January to June 2025, the country hosted 26.39 million visitors, up 1% from the same period in 2024. This increase translated into a total of 25.27 million overnight stays, a growth of 1.6 million from the previous year.
The increased demand was evident in the tourism revenue, which reached $25.6 billion, a testament to the industry's resilience and adaptability.
Foreign visitors accounted for 39.76% of total occupancy, while domestic travelers accounted for 18.07%. British nationals, German nationals, Russian citizens, and Dutch nationals were among the top foreign visitors, with Polish, Ukrainian, Saudi Arabian, Kazakhstani, and Romanian visitors also contributing significantly to the tourism sector.
In conclusion, Turkey's lower hotel occupancy rate in June 2025, despite higher overnight stays and revenue, results from expanded hotel room supply and a diversified tourism demand leading to a dilution effect on occupancy percentages rather than an actual decline in visitor numbers or revenue performance. The country's tourism sector continues to thrive, offering a vibrant and diverse range of experiences to visitors from around the world.
[1] Source: Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) [2] Source: Antalya Governorship [3] Source: Spanish Hoteliers' Confederation (CEHAT) [4] Source: Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism
- The city of Istanbul, a significant hub in Turkiye, witnessed an influx of tourists from Russia and other countries, contributing to the country's robust tourism economy in June 2025.
- As visitors embraced Turkish lifestyle during their travels, the shopping and dining sectors in popular destinations like Antalya, Aydin, and Mugla boomed, showing a shift in tourist preferences.
- Anticipating the growing demand for travel experiences, the Turkish economy is expected to further invest in expanding tourism offerings, moving towards a more sustainable and diverse tourism landscape in the coming years.
