Food and drink was the largest category of tourist spending in Turkey during the first half of 2026, with visitors spending nearly $5.9 billion on eating and drinking.
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Turkey generated $25.746 billion in tourism revenue during the first six months of the year.
Of this total, tourists spent $5.904 billion on food and drink between January and June.
That represented an increase of approximately 9 percent compared with the same period of 2025, when food and drink spending by tourists amounted to $5.428 billion.
Turkish Cuisine Attracts Tourists
The figures highlight the important role that food plays in Turkey’s tourism industry.
Visitors can encounter an enormous variety of Turkish dishes, from internationally familiar foods such as döner, pide and lahmacun to regional specialties that are closely associated with particular cities and parts of the country.
Turkey’s culinary diversity means that food can be much more than simply part of a holiday budget. For many visitors, discovering local dishes and eating in different regions is an important part of experiencing the country and its culture.
Edirne Has Its Own Culinary Identity
Edirne is one of the places where this regional diversity can be experienced.
Located in northwestern Turkey, close to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria, Edirne has a distinctive culinary tradition influenced by its Ottoman, Balkan and Thracian heritage.
The city is particularly famous for tava ciğeri (its signature fried liver dish) as well as Edirne köftesi (meatballs), almond paste and local cheeses.
For visitors who go beyond Turkey’s better-known destinations, Edirne’s food offers another way to discover the country’s regional character and the variety of traditions that make up Turkish cuisine.
And with tourists spending nearly $5.9 billion on food and drink in Turkey in just the first six months of 2026, the figures suggest that eating is not a minor part of the tourism experience. It is a major part of it.
FAQ
How much did tourists spend on food in Turkey in the first half of 2026?
Tourists spent approximately $5.9 billion on food and drink in Turkey between January and June 2026.
How much did tourism contribute to Turkey’s economy in the first half of 2026?
Turkey generated $25.746 billion in tourism revenue during the first six months of 2026.
What food is Edirne famous for?
Edirne is particularly known for tava ciğeri (fried liver) and Edirne köftesi, along with local specialties such as almond paste and Edirne cheese.
Further Reading
- Food & Drink in Edirne: A Local Guide to Restaurants, Cafés & Traditional Flavours
A broad introduction to Edirne’s food culture and where visitors can experience it. - What to Eat in Edirne: Must-Try Dishes & Signature Specialties
A more detailed look at the city’s traditional dishes. - Fried Liver (Tava Ciğeri) – Edirne’s Beloved Dish
For readers who want to understand the city’s most famous food. - Where to Eat in Edirne — practical information for visitors looking for local food.
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