Firuz Bağlıkaya

The number of foreign tourists visiting the Turkish Mediterranean resort of Antalya surged by 45 percent in March from a year ago to reach a record 505,000.

In the first three months of 2024, the popular holiday destination welcomed more than 1 million visitors, also marking a first-quarter all-time high.

Travelers and vacationers' spending is expected to be around 100 billion Turkish Liras during the upcoming nine-day Eid holiday, according to Firuz Bağlıkaya, the president of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

Istanbul is setting a higher target in tourism, aiming to welcome 20 million foreign visitors, says Firuz Bağlıkaya, the president of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

Türkiye expects to receive over 1.8 million health tourists in 2023, with an increase of approximately 30 percent, the head of a tourism professional organization has said.

With a whopping 585 thousand reservations made and a predicted holiday activity of 2 million people expected, the southern province of Antalya expects a historic spike in tourism during the nine-day Eid al-Adha holiday.

Two of the world's most important tourism trade shows have taken place back to back, with ITB Berlin in March and EMITT Istanbul this month bringing together international tourism stakeholders.

The number of foreign tourists visiting Türkiye is likely to exceed its 2019 level, says Firuz Bağlıkaya, board chair of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

"There is no doubt about it, we will surpass the 2019 level. We are expecting a new record," Bağlıkaya said.

Thousands of people have mobilized in Turkey after the mid-term break at schools began on Jan. 21, and the country's skiing resorts appear to be one of the main beneficiaries of this two-week-long holiday even though harsh winter conditions, including heavy snow, continue to batter many provinces.

Millions of people are expected to hit the roads to flock to Turkey's coastal provinces or their hometowns as Turkish authorities have extended the Eid al-Adha holiday.

The tourism sector in Turkey is hopeful that current coronavirus pandemic measures will reduce the number of infections and pave the way for tourists to visit.