Russian tourists have overtaken German visitors to become the largest foreign travel group in Turkey, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced.
Erdogan highlighted the special status of Russian travelers in the country, noting that no other nation sends more visitors to Turkish destinations.
Speaking in statements reported by Russian state news agency TASS, Erdogan said that while Germany had previously held a strong position in Turkey's travel market, Russia has now surpassed it. He added that the two countries share close ties in multiple areas, including tourism, energy, commercial trade and bilateral investments.
Mediterranean travel and economic ties
Turkey is a major Mediterranean destination situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, renowned for its coastal resorts along the Turkish Riviera and historic cultural sites in Istanbul. German holidaymakers have historically formed a major pillar of Turkish tourism, partly supported by strong cultural connections and a large Turkish diaspora living in Germany.
The tourism industry forms a critical component of the Turkish economy, generating vital foreign exchange revenues through hospitality, aviation and retail services. High visitor volumes from major European and Asian markets help sustain regional businesses across coastal provinces such as Antalya and Mugla.
The news follows data identifying Turkey as one of the three favorite summer destinations for Russian holidaymakers in 2026, alongside Belarus and China. Russia's outbound tourism market has long focused on warm Mediterranean destinations during peak summer vacation months.
Erdogan has served as the president of Turkey since 2014 after previously holding office as prime minister. Under his leadership, Turkey has developed strategic economic partnerships with Moscow, expanding commercial cooperation in energy infrastructure and trade while positioning the country as a primary international hub for transit and travel.
Cooperation between Ankara and Moscow extends across multiple key sectors, with ongoing trade agreements and shared investment projects continuing to anchor bilateral relations. Erdogan indicated that high tourist arrivals reflect this ongoing partnership between the two nations.
