Antalya, Türkiye’s southwestern tourism treasure, has been a top performer in Türkiye’s tourism industry for June 2025, with 2.69 million foreign tourists and the highest hotel occupancy level in Türkiye at 84.35%. This astounding record positions Antalya as the country’s number one tourism renaissance leader, surpassing other favorite spots such as Aydın and Mugla both in the number of tourists and in occupancy rates.

Tourism Ministry of Türkiye indicated that the occupancy rate of hotels in Antalya in June was significantly higher than other leading destinations, including Aydın (69.45% occupation rate) and Mugla (65.61%). This reflects increasing popularity of Antalya that is still among the most preferred areas for foreign tourists because of its stunning landscapes, cultural richness, and world-class facilities.

Antalya’s Leadership in Visitor Numbers and Overnight Stays

In terms of average overnight stays, Aydın led the country with 4.94 nights, followed by Antalya at 4.36 nights. Mugla ranked third with an average of 3.44 nights. These figures suggest that while Antalya may not have the longest stays in the country, it continues to be the destination of choice for a large number of travelers, contributing significantly to both tourism revenues and the local economy.

The increase in overnight stays nationwide, from 24.59 million in June 2024 to 25.27 million in June 2025, indicates that tourists are staying longer in Türkiye. Additionally, the average length of stay for visitors rose slightly from 2.85 days to 2.91 days, pointing to the growing trend of travelers spending more time exploring Türkiye’s diverse attractions.

International Market Breakdown: Leading Sources of Foreign Visitors

The breakdown of foreign visitors reveals the diversity of international tourists visiting Türkiye. Russian visitors continued to lead the charge in terms of overnight stays, with 3.57 million nights, followed closely by German nationals (3.35 million nights) and British nationals (2.13 million nights). Other key markets for Turkish tourism included Poland, Romania, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine, showing the broad appeal of Türkiye to travelers from both Europe and the Middle East.

Among these international visitors, Sudanese tourists topped the list in terms of the average length of stay, with an impressive 6.03 nights. This was followed by German visitors at 4.44 nights, Luxembourg at 4.38 nights, and Latvia at 4.31 nights. The longer stays by these nationalities underscore a shift towards more immersive travel experiences in Türkiye, particularly in popular coastal and cultural hubs like Antalya.

Tourism Revenue and Visitor Trends: A Slight Slowdown

While Antalya continues to thrive, overall tourism arrivals to Türkiye showed signs of a mild slowdown in the first half of 2025. According to official figures, Türkiye hosted 26.39 million visitors from January to June 2025, marking a 1% increase over the same period in 2024. However, the number of foreign arrivals fell by 1.13% to 21.4 million visitors, indicating a slight dip in inbound tourism compared to previous years.

Despite this slowdown in foreign arrivals, the tourism revenue for the first half of 2025 reached an impressive $25.6 billion, showing that while fewer international tourists are arriving, those who do visit are spending more. This reflects the country’s focus on attracting high-spending tourists and increasing the quality of tourism rather than focusing solely on the volume of visitors.

Antalya’s Role in Türkiye’s Growing Tourism Sector

Antalya’s continued dominance in both occupancy rates and foreign visitor numbers is a testament to its role as a cornerstone of Turkish tourism. With its combination of luxury resorts, beautiful beaches, rich history, and modern amenities, it remains a key player in Türkiye’s overall tourism strategy. The region is well-positioned to continue attracting high-value travelers looking for both leisure and culture.

As Turkey’s tourism industry works to recover from global challenges and increase international appeal, Antalya’s exceptional performance offers a model for other destinations across the country. It also underscores the importance of regional tourism development and the growing demand for longer stays and more immersive travel experiences.

Looking to the Future: Sustainability and Growth in Turkish Tourism

As the tourism environment in Türkiye changes, there is an evident move towards sustainability, local economic contribution, and quality-focused tourism over numbers. Increasing overnight stays and efforts toward more luxury and eco-tourism align with worldwide trends to find sustainable tourism options. The tourism industry in Antalya, as well as other areas such as Aydın and Mugla, can be expected to keep changing by serving visitors who prioritize staying longer and experiencing the realities.

The government’s assistance for tourism infrastructure development, including increased airport capacity, improved transportation connections, and additional cultural sites, will keep Antalya and other areas competitive on the global market. As Türkiye expands its tourism sector, Antalya will remain a core part of its growth plan in the next several years.