According to data published by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), tourism revenue increased by 8.3% in 2024, reaching $61.103 billion, setting a new record. Tourism revenue from visitors amounted to $60.497 billion, while tourism revenue from transit passengers was $606.401 million. Visitor numbers increase by 9% in 2024 The number of visitors also rose by 9% compared to the previous year, reaching 62.2 million. Of these, 15.4% (9,599,727 people) were Turkish citizens residing abroad. Russia sends the highest number of tourists In 2024, Russia topped the list with 6.71 million visitors, followed by Germany with 6.62 million and the United Kingdom with 4.43 million. The UK was followed by Iran and Bulgaria in visitor...
Türkiye in International Media
An Israeli airstrike killed three Turkish citizens who attempted to cross illegally from Lebanon to Israel, Türkiye's foreign ministry said on Wednesday. "We condemn in the strongest terms this unlawful attack that resulted in the death of our citizens," the ministry said in a statement, without mentioning when the incident took place. Procedures are under way to repatriate their bodies to Türkiye, the ministry said. "As we have emphasised on every occasion, Israel must immediately end its aggressive policies that disregard human life and escalate tensions in our region," the ministry said.
The Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the aim of consolidating bilateral relations and strengthening coordination at the regional level in light of the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and Syria. As reported by the Turkish press, these were the issues on the agenda of the meeting between Fidan and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan. The parties discussed ways to further develop ties in various sectors, which contributed to a trade volume of approximately $8 billion last year, and exchanged views on the situation in the region and at the international...
A meeting was held at the Ministry of Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan, attended by representatives from the "Türkmengaz" state institution and a delegation led by Abdulvahid Fidan, the Managing Director of the Turkish company BOTAŞ. One of the main topics of the meeting was the modernization of the export routes for Turkmen gas to Türkiye. BOTAŞ expressed its readiness to provide comprehensive support for the development of infrastructure and the expansion of supply channels. These measures will ensure the stable access of Turkmen gas to both the Turkish market and global markets. During the meeting, the importance...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday introduced a comprehensive judicial reform plan, stating that it aims to enhance the independence, transparency, and efficiency of Türkiye's judicial system. Speaking at the reform's introductory meeting, Erdoğan said the change would enhance legal security, ensure timely proceedings, establish a predictable justice system, streamline procedures, and foster trust and satisfaction with the judiciary. The reform focuses on expanding restorative and compensatory justice practices, particularly prelitigation alternative dispute resolution methods. It also aims to strengthen the effectiveness and deterrence of the criminal justice system and accelerate the digital transformation of justice...
According to a statement from the office of Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye, which has been highly active on the African continent, has offered to mediate between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are engaged in conflict through proxy militias in eastern DRC. As reported by the official Anadolu Agency, President Erdoğan received his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame in Ankara on Thursday evening and stated, "Türkiye is ready to provide all necessary assistance for the resolution of the crisis between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo." The M23 armed group, backed...
Flights from Türkiye to Syria had been suspended following the outbreak of the civil war. With the change in power in the neighbouring country, direct flights to the Syrian capital, Damascus, have resumed. After a 13-year hiatus, Turkish Airlines has restarted its direct flights to Syria, a country previously affected by civil war. According to Anadolu Agency, a plane carrying 349 passengers took off from Istanbul for Damascus in the morning. This marks the first flight since April 2012. Turkish Airlines suspended direct flights to the neighbouring country in 2011 due to the civil war. The airline previously announced plans to operate...
The Nobel Prize-winning and prominent Turkish scientist Prof Aziz Sancar was awarded the title "Cultural Ambassador of the Turkic World". This honorary title was awarded to him by the TURKSOY Permanent Council at its 40th meeting held in Shusha, Azerbaijan. The award ceremony was held on January 19th, 2025, at the Sancar Cultural Centre in North Carolina, USA. Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Raev, stated that this decision was agreed upon by the unanimous decisions of the Ministers of the Permanent Council. Aziz Sancar was awarded the title "Cultural Ambassador of the Turkic World" in recognition of his contributions to science...
In recognition of the tragic loss of numerous lives in a hotel fire at the Kartalkaya ski resort on January 22, Türkiye declared one day of national mourning. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made the statement while addressing the public following the cabinet meeting. According to the TRT Haber television channel's report, the Turkish leader said, "One day of national mourning has been declared in the country on Wednesday, January 22, in memory of the people who lost their lives in the hotel fire in Bolu province." Erdoğan underlined that those responsible for the tragedy that claimed 66 lives will receive...