Antalya Breaks a 10-Year Record: The Contribution of Russia and Germany Impresses
As 2024 draws to a close, Antalya has hosted approximately 17 million tourists, achieving its highest visitor numbers ever. Over the past decade, half of the foreign tourists visiting the city came from Russia and Germany. A total of 36.04 million visitors arrived from Russia and 25.545 million from Germany. Recep Yavuz, Chairman of the Antalya City Council’s Tourism Group, highlighted the importance of these figures for the region’s tourism.
NEW TOURISM RECORD
Between 2015 and 2024, Antalya welcomed 112.722 million international visitors, marking an impressive success in tourism. Among them, 5.502 million were Turkish citizens living abroad, while 107.214 million were foreign nationals. Despite challenging conditions, natural disasters, wars, and the pandemic, Antalya’s tourism industry has continued to grow.
RUSSIA AND GERMANY LEAD THE WAY
Data from the last decade shows that more than half of the foreign visitors to Antalya came from Russia and Germany. Russia accounted for 36.04 million visitors, while Germany contributed 25.545 million. Significant contributions also came from the UK (7.183 million), Ukraine (5.965 million), and Turkish citizens living abroad (5.917 million).
GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION
Recep Yavuz emphasized that the region’s tourism success stems from an innovative approach and continuous development. "New hotels, areas, and regions open every year, increasing visitor satisfaction. The figure of 17 million tourists is rare even on a global scale. Antalya is one of the few cities that has achieved its targets," Yavuz said, adding that preparations for 2025 are already underway.
DEFYING GLOBAL CHALLENGES
Yavuz recalled that the World Tourism Organization named Turkey one of the fastest-growing countries in tourism. "Globally, 1.5 billion people travel. However, some European countries face challenges in their tourism sectors due to negative attitudes toward tourists and high taxes. Antalya, on the other hand, continues to grow without encountering such issues," he added.
UNCERTAINTIES IN KEY MARKETS
Yavuz pointed out that economic and political conditions in Germany and Russia could create uncertainties for Antalya’s tourism. "Germany’s elections in February and the contraction in the automotive industry could affect German tourists. Economic difficulties and the war in Russia also add to the uncertainty. However, if conditions normalize, the 2025 season will be strong," he noted.
EXPECTED INCREASE IN REVENUE
Yavuz stated that Antalya’s per capita tourism revenue stands at $800–900, with a goal to raise it to $1,000. He reminded that Turkey’s overall targets for 2024 are 60 million tourists and $60 billion in tourism revenue, adding, "Our goals for 2025 will depend on political and economic developments in the region."
