Türkiye hosts some 23 mln tourists in first half of 2023

The tourism sector in Türkiye witnessed a notable resurgence in demand as the number of tourists visiting the country during the first six months of 2023 increased by an impressive 17 percent, surpassing the 22 million mark, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has announced.

Tourism income also experienced a substantial boost, rising by 27 percent during the same period, amounting to a staggering $21.7 billion, Ersoy revealed during a press conference in Istanbul on July 31.

The minister attributed the positive growth to the country's efforts to improve per capita nightly income, which had previously declined to $62. He emphasized that these efforts resulted in an increase of more than 50 percent, with the per capita nightly income now reaching $100.

Meanwhile, certain segments faced challenges during the first half of the year. Occupancy rates in hotels catering to high-income groups were below expectations, partially due to the impact of an earthquake and the negative effects of the election process, which coincided with the early booking period, Ersoy said. Additionally, the prolonged cool weather until mid-July led to a decline in last-minute reservations.

"Further affecting the sector was the significant housing purchases made by Russian-speaking citizens, who preferred staying in residences and renting them to tourists during certain periods, rather than opting for traditional hotels," he stated.

The global recession also played a role in reducing the average length of stay for hotel guests, which decreased from 10.5 overnights to 9.9 overnights.

To address these challenges, Ersoy emphasized the importance of market diversification. Türkiye has been actively working towards this goal for the past five...