Turkey Becomes World’s 4th Most Visited Country

In 2022, 963 million people traveled, with total spending amounting to $1.012 trillion. Turkey, hosting 50.45 million visitors, became the 4th most visited country.

The UNWTO report on global tourism data for 2022 has been released. The report shows that tourism activity worldwide in 2022 was 34% below the pre-pandemic level of 2019. According to the report, 963 million tourists traveled worldwide in 2022.

France Ranks First

In the country rankings, France took the first spot with 80 million visitors, followed by Spain with 71.66 million, and the USA with 50.87 million. Turkey ranked fourth, just behind the USA, with 50.45 million tourists.

The other top 10 countries hosting the most tourists were Italy with 49.81 million, Mexico with 38.33 million, the United Kingdom with 30.54 million, Germany with 28.46 million, Greece with 27.84 million, and Austria with 26.21 million.

The report stated that total tourism revenues in 2022 amounted to $1.012 trillion, with an average per capita tourist income of $1,051. Turkey ranked 7th in average per capita tourist income, observing a 44% increase from the 2018 average of $567. However, compared to the 2021 average of $890, there was an approximate 8% decrease.

Tourists Prefer the Mediterranean

According to the report, 67% of the 963 million tourists preferred European countries, 16% chose the Americas, 10% traveled to Asia, 7% to the Middle East, and 5% to Africa. Asia, in particular, struggled to recover. The most visited holiday region in the world was the Mediterranean with 28%, followed by Western Europe with 17% and North America with 11%.

MUĞLA REGION, the shining star of Turkey in global tourism sector

With its unique nature, coasts along the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, airports in Bodrum and Dalaman, and well-developed transportation and accommodation infrastructure, Muğla is one of Turkey’s most important tourism destinations.

Muğla’s territory lies mostly in the Aegean Region with a small part in the Mediterranean Region. With coastlines along both seas and a total shoreline approaching 1,500 km, Muğla has the longest coastline of any province in Turkey. This makes Muğla particularly prominent in sea-sand-sun tourism, especially with its 105 blue flag beaches spread throughout the province.

Muğla’s most popular holiday resorts include “FETHİYE and its surroundings“, Bodrum, Turgutreis, Yalıkavak, Marmaris, Bozburun, Güllük, Mantarburnu, Göcek, and Datça.

Having traces of settlement from ancient times to the present and a very rich historical heritage, Muğla is also a significant destination for cultural tourism. The city, which hosts some of the most beautiful bays of the Aegean, is also developed in yacht tourism. Known worldwide for its natural beauty, the city also offers popular activities such as paragliding and diving tourism. In 2018, Muğla hosted more than 2.8 million visitors, and in 2019, it welcomed over 3.2 million foreign visitors. Among the 17 “Slow Cities” in Turkey, Akyaka and Köyceğiz are also located in Muğla.

Muğla has a very strong infrastructure in terms of accommodation. While small-scale facilities are predominant, there are also large-scale facilities suitable for mass tourism in Muğla.