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Turkey cultural heritage and tourism statistics

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-29 21:58 UTC → 2026-10-02 07:46 UTC · added removed

Data released by from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) regarding 2025 cultural heritage statistics shows growth in both tourism and the preservation Ministry of historical assets. Culture and Tourism confirms significant growth in Turkey’s cultural heritage sector for 2025. Total visitors to museums and archaeological sites reached approximately 65.9 million, a 6.8 percent increase from the previous year. Istanbul recorded the highest visitor numbers at Specifically, museums and archaeological sites hosted 34,836,007 visitors, a 7% rise over 18.3 million. The number 2024. Revenue from these sites saw a sharp increase of museums over 34.3%, exceeding 7.3 billion Turkish Lira. The Ephesus Archaeological Site in Turkey rose to 664, while Izmir was the total number of immovable cultural assets increased most visited location, recording over 2.5 million visitors, followed by 2.6 percent to 130,632. Protected sites nationwide also saw a 6 percent increase, totaling 27,703, Hierapolis (Pamukkale) in Denizli with archaeological sites making up 97.1 percent of that figure. approximately 2.3 million. Regional data highlights include shows Istanbul holding held the most highest number of immovable assets (34,558), followed by Izmir and Muğla, assets, while the province of Van saw a 4.4 percent rise in its combined count of protected sites and assets. Further details from To modernize the sector, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy indicate that has partnered with Türk Telekom to launch a digital transformation project for 216 museums and archaeological sites reached record-breaking revenue levels in 2025. While total visitor numbers sites, targeted for these specific sites were reported at 34,836,007—representing an approximately 7% increase over 2024—revenue experienced a much sharper rise. Total revenue climbed over 34.3% to exceed 7.3 billion Turkish Lira, up from 5.4 billion Lira the previous year. The Ephesus Archaeological Site in Izmir was identified as the most visited location during the year, followed completion by Hierapolis (Pamukkale) in Denizli the end of 2026. This initiative includes upgrading infrastructure with approximately 2.3 million visitors. Additionally, fiber optics, Wi-Fi, and 5G, alongside implementing augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and AI-supported analytics. A key component involves integrating national ID cards to replace physical Müzekarts, allowing visitors to enter sites by scanning their IDs after paying via e-Devlet or mobile apps. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced has set a target to increase total tourism revenues to 65 billion US dollars, describing the sector as a vital ‘smoke-free industry’ for the national economy. Data for the first eight months of the year indicates that industry’. Russia and Germany remain the top primary source markets for foreign visitors, with Istanbul and Antalya serving as the primary main entry points.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-02 07:46 UTC Turkey cultural heritage and tourism statistics
  2. 2026-09-29 21:58 UTC Turkey cultural heritage and tourism statistics
  3. 2026-09-29 10:12 UTC Turkey cultural heritage and tourism statistics
  4. 2026-09-10 16:58 UTC Turkey cultural heritage and tourism statistics

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