Published on
October 27, 2025
Türkiye is poised to welcome close to one million foreign tourists during the upcoming New Year holiday, as rising hotel occupancy across major cities and tourism regions underscores the country’s ongoing appeal for international travelers. According to official statistics and sector representatives, this end-of-year surge will provide a significant influx of foreign currency, strengthening the national economy and sustaining employment across the hospitality, retail, and entertainment sectors.
Antalya Gears Up for Full Capacity as Holiday Programs Target European Markets
Antalya, Türkiye’s premier resort destination, is reporting near full capacity in luxury hotels and resorts for the December 25–January 4 holiday period. Targeted programs are attracting visitors from Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom, underpinned by special charter flights running between December 20 and January 2. The drive for year-round tourism has proven effective, as hotels expect average per-capita spending of around dollar twelve hundred during the peak week, well above seasonal averages. This winter success story demonstrates Antalya’s progress toward becoming a true twelve-month destination, expanding beyond its already robust summer portfolio.
Van Emerges as Regional Hotspot for Iranian Travelers
In eastern Türkiye, the city of Van is experiencing exceptional New Year bookings, primarily due to an influx of Iranian tourists. Hotels are full as early as mid-December, and local businesses, restaurants, malls, tailors, and barbers, are reaping the benefits of Iranian visitor spending in US dollars and Iranian tomans. Officials note that for Van, this season represents one of the most important economic windows of the year, as international tourism drives both revenues and cross-border cultural exchange.
Cappadocia’s Winter Magic Attracts Chinese Visitors
Cappadocia continues to be a magnet for East Asian tourists, particularly from China, with hot-air balloon rides, cave hotels, and photo tours driving demand throughout December. Travel agencies report that bookings for year-end and New Year festivities often match those seen during the summer, reflecting Cappadocia’s growing status as an all-season destination. This trend supports the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s strategy to diversify source markets and emphasize Türkiye’s cultural and natural wonders year-round.
Edirne’s Cross-Border Shopping Boom with Bulgaria
The northwestern border city of Edirne is experiencing a “second holiday,” as Bulgarian visitors cross into Türkiye for day trips and shopping. Since late December, supermarkets, jewelry stores, and other retailers have reported a sustained increase in foreign customers, driven by favorable exchange rates and seasonal promotions. Authorities highlight that foreign shopping trips now occur throughout the week and not just on weekends, generating steady revenues for local traders.
National Perspective: Tourism Statistics and Economic Impact
Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism confirms that the country hosted 35.4 million foreign visitors from January to August 2025, with Istanbul and Antalya as top recipients. Russians remained the largest single source, accounting for 4.5 million arrivals. Despite some downward pressure from inflation and softening demand in core European markets, year-end travel remains robust, especially in winter-friendly destinations.
Tourism revenue reached a record dollar 25.8 billion in the first half of 2025, with further gains projected from New Year and winter bookings. High per-night expenditures and longer average stays are helping compensate for slower growth in visitor numbers, maintaining the industry’s vital contribution to GDP.
Türkiye’s All-Season Tourism Strategy
While Türkiye experienced a moderate annual decline in total arrivals during 2025, the scale of holiday bookings for the New Year period highlights strong structural foundations in hospitality infrastructure and destination management. Efforts to extend the tourism season, promote regional diversity, and target high-value travelers are yielding results in cities like Antalya, Cappadocia, Van, and Edirne.
As Türkiye continues to execute its year-round tourism policy, diversified market targeting and continued investment in quality will be crucial in maintaining its global competitiveness, even amid shifting international travel trends.
