Tourism Statistics, Quarter IV: October-December and Annual, 2019 in Turkey

In the fourth quarter which is October, November and December months of 2019 tourism income increased by 20.6% and reached to $ 7 billion 885 million 568 thousand. While 83.3% of this income (excluding GSM roaming and marina service expenditures) was obtained from foreign visitors, 16.7% was obtained from citizens resident abroad.Visitors organise their travel individually or with package tour. While individual expenditures constituted $ 5 billion 804 million 853 thousand of the total tourism income, $ 2 billion 80 million 715 thousand of tourism income was obtained by package tour expenditures.

Tourism income in 2019 increased by 17.0% and reached to $ 34 billion 520 million 332 thousand compared to the previous year. While individual expenditures constituted $ 25 billion 355 million 577 thousand of the total tourism income, $ 9 billion 164 million 755 thousand of tourism income was obtained by package tour expenditures.

Tourism income and number of visitors, Quarter IV: October-December, 2019

Tourism income by type of visitor, Quarter IV, 2019  – Average expenditure per capita, Quarter IV, 2019

In this quarter, according to rate of change of expenditures compared to same quarter of the previous year, the highest increases were in package tour (share of Turkey) and tour services expenditures. In this year the highest annual increases were in package tour (share of Turkey) and health expenditures.

Rate of change of expenditure types over the same period of the previous year (%), Annual and Quarter IV, 2019


Average expenditures per capita of visitors from selected countries ($), Annual and Quarter IV, 2019


Average expenditure per night was $ 62

In this quarter while average expenditure per night of the foreigners who stayed overnight was $ 73, average expenditure per night of Turkish citizens resident abroad was $ 35.

In this year, while average expenditure per night for total overnight visitors was $ 68, the average expenditure per night of foreigners was $ 73, average expenditure per night of Turkish citizens resident abroad was $ 50.

Number of departing visitors increased by 12.3%

In this quarter number of departing visitors increased by 12.3% compared to same quarter of previous year and reached to 10 million 841 thousand 340 persons. While 85.9% of visitors was foreign with 9 million 315 thousand 240 persons, 14.1% of them was Turkish citizens resident abroad with 1 million 526 thousand 100 persons.

In this year, number of departing visitors increased by 13.7% compared to the previous year and reached to 51 million 860 thousand 42. While 86.2% of visitors was foreign with 44 million 712 thousand 970 persons, 13.8% of them was Turkish citizens resident abroad with 7 million 147 thousand 72 persons.

In this quarter, foreign visitors visited Turkey mostly for “travel, entertainment, sportive and cultural activities” with 72.4%

The secondary purpose of visit was “visiting relatives and friends” with 13.6% and the third was “shopping” with 4.6%. Turkish citizens resident abroad visited mostly for “visiting relatives and friends” with 65.6%.

Departing visitors by purpose of visit (%)*, Quarter IV, 2019

(*): Ratios calculated by excluding the number of accompanying visitors.

In this year, while foreign visitors visited Turkey mostly for “travel, entertainment, sportive and cultural activities” with 73.6%, Turkish citizens resident abroad visited mostly for “visiting relatives and friends” with 61.7%.

Departing visitors by purpose of visit (%)*, 2019

(*): Ratios calculated by excluding the number of accompanying visitors.

Tourism expenditure increased by 6.9%  

Tourism expenditure which is the expenditure of the Turkish citizens resident in Turkey and visited abroad, increased by 6.9% compared to same quarter of previous year and reached to $ 1 billion 23 million 457 thousand. While $ 908 million 897 thousand of total expenditures was individual expenditures, $ 114 million 560 thousand of tourism expenditures was package tour expenditures.

In this year, tourism expenditure decreased by 10.1% compared to previous year and declined to $ 4 billion 403 million 670 thousand. While $ 3 billion 668 million 879 thousand of total expenditures was individual expenditures, $ 734 million 791 thousand of tourism expenditures was package tour expenditures.

Tourism expenditure and number of Turkish citizens visited abroad, Quarter IV: October-December, 2019

Number of Turkish citizens visited abroad increased by 20.8%

In this quarter number of Turkish citizens visited abroad increased by 20.8% compared to same quarter of previous year and reached to 2 million 238 thousand 810. Average expenditure was $ 457 per capita.

In this year, number of Turkish citizens visited abroad increased by 15.1% compared to previous year and reached to 9 million 650 thousand 512. Average expenditure was $ 456 per capita.

Tourism expenditure and number of citizens, 2019 – Average expenditure per capita, Quarter IV, 2019


The next release on this subject will be on April 30, 2020.


Source: TurkStat
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