Surge in Tourist Arrivals to Antalya
Antalya, one of Türkiye’s premier travel destinations, has witnessed a notable increase in tourist visits, with numbers rising by around 10% during the first seven months of the year, surpassing the impressive milestone of 9 million visitors, as reported on Saturday.
Demographics of Tourists
According to a report from Anadolu Agency (AA), Russian nationals represented the largest segment of tourists visiting from January 1 to July 31, totaling just over 2 million. Following them were German visitors, numbering approximately 1.77 million, while around 875,000 travelers hailed from England.
This recent data arrives shortly after a report from the Culture and Tourism Industry indicated that foreign visitor numbers remained strong during the first half of the year, contributing to record-breaking revenue for the nation.
Rising Popularity Among Russians
Antalya’s appeal among Russian tourists has grown significantly since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in early 2022, which led to Western sanctions affecting travel and business operations in Russia.
Attractions of Antalya
As one of the most sought-after destinations in Türkiye, rivaling Istanbul, Antalya is celebrated for its extended summer season, abundant sunny days, rich historical background, numerous Blue Flag beaches, and activities like diving.
July Tourist Figures
The month of July alone saw a 2.71% rise in tourist numbers compared to the same month the previous year, attracting approximately 2.74 million visitors, according to the data.
During July, Russian tourists remained the largest group visiting Antalya, with nearly 600,000 arrivals. Germans followed closely with around 441,000 visitors, and Poles contributed nearly 224,000.
After Polish tourists, the next largest groups included travelers from the United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, Romania, the Netherlands, Czechia, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
Record-Breaking Day at Antalya Airport
On a related note, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced on Sunday that Antalya Airport set new records for both aircraft traffic and passenger numbers the previous day.
In a statement shared on the ministry’s website and social media platform X, the minister highlighted the impressive statistics, revealing that a total of 223,217 passengers utilized Antalya Airport on August 3, serviced by 1,217 flights, of which 1,087 were international and 130 domestic.
Ministerial Comments on Tourism Growth
Echoing Uraloğlu’s sentiments, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy confirmed that the airport also recorded the highest number of daily international passengers ever.
“A visitor record was established at Antalya Airport,” he stated on X on Sunday. “We shattered the previous daily international passenger record, with over 104,000 tourists arriving in Antalya, a stunning blend of history, nature, and culture, just yesterday,” he added.
He also mentioned that approximately 280,000 tourists were welcomed in Antalya within the first three days of August, emphasizing the city’s allure not only for its beautiful beaches but also for its rich historical significance, captivating natural landscapes, and unique cultural heritage. He expressed gratitude to all who contributed to this success.
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