British, Saudis, Azeris spend most in Turkey

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

The grand bazaar is seen in this photo. Hürriyet photo

British, Saudi Arabian and Azeri tourists have spent the most in Turkey in the first four months of the year, according to a report by Visa.

There has been a 14 percent year-over-year increase from the same period last year, daily Milliyet reported July 20. Foreign tourists have spent a total of 508 million euros in the period from January to April, the report said.

Russians and Swedish tourists were among foreign tourist who have increased spending the most, along with Azeris and Arabs. The amount of spending by Russian tourists rose by 37.3 percent, while the rate of increase in expenditure for Swedish tourists was 31.4 percent in the same compared period.

Foreign tourists in Turkey withdrew about 210 million euros from banks in the four months, and total spending in the retail sector was at 164 million euros, according to the report.