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Alsharq Tribune-M.Essam
Türkiye's tourism industry is gaining strong momentum as rising demand for tailor-made travel experiences combines with record accommodation revenues, highlighting a shift toward higher-spending visitors and premium services.
Authorities said that tourism revenue reached a record 65.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2025 with 64 million visitor arrivals, reflecting Türkiye's growing appeal among travelers seeking cultural immersion and exclusive itineraries.
Meanwhile, data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) showed that tourists spent nearly 7 billion dollars on accommodation last year, marking the highest lodging revenue since data collection began in 2003.
Over the past five years, Türkiye's accommodation sector has generated 27.9 billion dollars, underlining the industry's steady recovery and expanding contribution to the broader tourism economy.
Hamit Kuk, chief advisor to the president of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, said that luxury travel is growing rapidly as tourists increasingly request trips tailored to personal interests.
Fully customized experiences crafted by travel agencies often cost two to three times more than standard packages, he said.
Kuk noted that adventure-focused itineraries have become part of this premium trend. Activities such as kayaking and rafting in Antalya's Koprulu Canyon and the Black Sea region's Firtina Valley, as well as hot-air balloon rides over the landscapes of Cappadocia, are often combined with stays in upscale hotels and boutique resorts.
"When tourists come to Türkiye, they can experience 15 to 20 different forms of tourism, ranging from cultural and city travel to gastronomy, wellness, winter and adventure experiences," he said.
Younger travelers are also driving the shift toward premium tourism, according to Irfan Karsli, head of the Istanbul-based tourism agency Ligarba Travel.
Karsli said that tourists aged 20-40 increasingly favor short and flexible trips built around distinctive experiences and that many want journeys they can share instantly on social media, which drives the demand for unique accommodation and eye-catching destinations.
While average overnight spending by visitors was around 100 dollars in 2025 according to TurkStat's tally, Karsli noted that customized eight-to 10-day tours can cost between 2,500 dollars and 5,000 dollars per traveler.
The growing focus on premium tourism has pushed Türkiye's accommodation revenues to record highs, said Gokhan Esengil, Central Anatolia regional executive board chair of the Tourism Hotel Managers Association.
"The rise in accommodation revenues reflects the sector's resilient structure," Esengil told reporters, noting that destinations including Cappadocia saw significant gains during peak seasons despite continued off-season fluctuations.
Türkiye has also stepped up efforts to promote lesser-known destinations across its 81 provinces. From cultural heritage tours in historic eastern cities of Kars and Erzurum to the natural landscapes of coastal towns along the Black Sea, these destinations are expected to spread tourism income beyond the country's traditional "sun-and-sea" tourism hubs.
The Culture and Tourism Ministry aims to attract around 68 million visitors and generate 68 billion dollars in tourism revenue this year, with growth expected in priority markets including China, following recently announced visa-free travel for Chinese citizens.
