According to the data released by the Ministry, in the first 8 months of 2023, the number of foreign visitors to Istanbul increased by 13,20 percent to 11 million 524 thousand.
In August 2023, the number of visitors to the city increased by 4.9 percent and reached to 1 million 747 thousand compared to the same month of the previous year.
Russian Federation is the number one source market
In August, the Russian Federation sent the most foreign visitors to Istanbul with 179 thousand, followed by Germany with 127,486, Iran with 101 thousand, and the United States with 81 thousand. The United States was followed by Saudi Arabia (74 thousand) the United Kingdom (72 thousand) and France (61 thousand).
Among the Arab countries, in terms of foreign visitors to Istanbul in August, Saudi Arabia ranked first, followed by Iraq, Kuwait, and Algeria respectively. Jordan, Morocco, Libya, Egypt and Algeria other markets that sent most tourists to Istanbul.
First Choice: Istanbul Airport
In August, the first choice for foreign visitors coming to Istanbul was Istanbul Airport. In the first 8 months of the year, Istanbul Airport hosted 8 million 85 thousand foreign visitors, and in August, 1 million 235 thousand foreigners chose to use Istanbul Airport. In August, Istanbul Airport accounted for 72.69 percent of the total number of foreign visitors arriving by air in Istanbul.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport also saw 462 thousand foreign entries in August. The airport become second most popular entry point for foreign visitors with 27,22 share.
In August, the number of foreign visitors arriving in Istanbul by air increased by 3.9 percent compared to the same month in 2022, reaching 1 million 699 thousand.
In the same month the number of foreign visitors arriving in Istanbul by sea increased 58,61 percent to 48 thousand.
Occupancy Rate in July: 64.36 percent
According to the latest accommodation statistics published by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the number of arrivals at facilities certified by the Ministry reached a total of 1 million 277 thousand in July of this year.
A total of 3 million overnight stays were recorded in these facilities, with an average length of stay of 2.35 days.
The occupancy rate of accommodation facilities in Istanbul in July was 64.36 percent.