TESK chief Palandöken says Turkish diaspora to add $15 billion to economy

Turkey’s Esnaf ve Sanatkârları Konfederasyonu (TESK) president Bendevi Palandöken said the Turkish diaspora, often called “gurbetçiler,” contributed significantly to the country’s economy. He noted that 11 million diaspora visitors generated roughly $12 billion of the $65 billion tourism revenue last year.

Palandöken expects the diaspora to add about $15 billion to tourism and related sectors this year. Their spending includes purchases of wedding supplies, gold, food, and other goods that they take back home, as well as investments in real‑estate, maintenance and repair services. He said the impact spans 185‑200 occupational sectors, benefitting local merchants and artisans across the country. Palandöken emphasized the need to provide good service to these visitors, who also bring foreign currency into Turkey.