Istanbul, one of the important centers of world tourism, hosted 6 million 923 thousand 768 foreign visitors in the first 5 months of the year, breaking a record both in May and in the 5-month period compared to all years.
According to the data of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the number of foreign visitors to Istanbul in the first 5 months of the year increased by 10.31 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
Istanbul hosted 1 million 678 thousand 832 foreign visitors in May with an increase of 11.48 percent compared to the same month of the previous year.
In the ranking of the countries that sent the most visitors to Istanbul in May, the Russian Federation ranked first with 176 thousand 702 people, Germany ranked second with 140 thousand 214 people, the USA ranked third with 90 thousand 318 people, and Iran ranked fourth with 84 thousand 587 people. 80 thousand 52 people from the UK, 66 thousand 170 people from France and 57 thousand 71 people from Saudi Arabia visited Istanbul.
Istanbul Airport was the first choice
Istanbul Airport was the first choice of foreign visitors to Istanbul in May.
Istanbul Airport was preferred by 1 million 198 thousand 723 foreign visitors in May. In May, 72.85 percent of foreign visitors arriving to Istanbul by air entered through Istanbul Airport.
In May, 445 thousand 225 foreign visitors entered Istanbul via Sabiha Gökçen Airport, which was preferred by 27.06 percent of foreign visitors arriving to Istanbul by air.
The number of foreign visitors arriving to Istanbul by air in May increased by 12.09 percent compared to the same month of 2023 and reached 1 million 645 thousand 423.
April occupancy rate was 51.47 percent
According to the latest accommodation statistics published by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the number of visitors to Ministry-certified facilities reached 1 million 129 thousand 657 in April this year.
While a total of 2 million 499 thousand 143 overnight stays were made in these facilities, the occupancy rate of accommodation facilities in Istanbul in April was determined as 51.47 percent.