Foreign arrivals to Turkey plunge 38 pct in August
ANKARA
The number of foreigners visiting Turkey fell 37.96 percent year-on-year to 3.1 million in August from 5.1 million a year earlier, with dramatic declines in arrivals from Western countries, Asian nations and Russia, temporary data from the Tourism Ministry showed on Sept. 29. This was the 13th straight monthly fall in the number of foreign tourists visiting Turkey due to several terror attacks, a failed coup attempt and tensions with Russia. This was also the fourth consecutive month when the tourist numbers dropped more than 30 percent.
German tourists accounted for the biggest share with 17.3 percent of total visitors, yet fell 34.5 percent in August compared to the same month of 2015.
The United Kingdom took second place with its 8.7 percent share, though its visitors fell by 36 percent in August. Foreign tourists from Georgia, who took the third highest share in August (with 6.9 percent), increased by 7.6 percent to 218,516 compared to the same month of 2015.
Visitors from Russia declined 83.6 percent in August and took only 3.3 percent of share compared to a 12.4 percent share a year earlier.
The number of foreign arrivals declined to 17.4 million in the first eight months of the year, a decrease of around 32 percent from the same period of 2015.
Tourism revenues are among the key sources of financing for Turkey’s current account deficit and their decline signals more pain for the Turkish economy, which is smarting from slowing exports and weak private investment.
German tourists accounted for the biggest share with 17.3 percent of total visitors, yet fell 34.5 percent in August compared to the same month of 2015.
The United Kingdom took second place with its 8.7 percent share, though its visitors fell by 36 percent in August. Foreign tourists from Georgia, who took the third highest share in August (with 6.9 percent), increased by 7.6 percent to 218,516 compared to the same month of 2015.
Visitors from Russia declined 83.6 percent in August and took only 3.3 percent of share compared to a 12.4 percent share a year earlier.
The number of foreign arrivals declined to 17.4 million in the first eight months of the year, a decrease of around 32 percent from the same period of 2015.
Tourism revenues are among the key sources of financing for Turkey’s current account deficit and their decline signals more pain for the Turkish economy, which is smarting from slowing exports and weak private investment.
