In February, Turkish tourist statistics show 203,075 visitors from Russia, a year-over-year decrease of 10.8%. Yet this figure is an improvement over January, which saw a 17.6% decline in Russian tourist flows. The outlook for Russia as a source market is nuanced: while overall numbers fell, the month demonstrated resilience compared with the previous period, reflecting broader seasonal dynamics and travel patterns that can influence monthly comparisons.
The consequence of these shifts is that Russia dropped from its second-place position among countries bringing visitors to Turkey, slipping behind Iran. In February, Iran registered 226,104 visits to Turkey, a figure that nearly doubled the 112,291 Iranian visits recorded in February 2023. This rapid growth underscores a notable realignment in the composition of inbound travelers, influenced by regional travel demand, exchange rates, and shifting tourist preferences.
Germany remains firmly in the top tier of source markets, with 187,946 Turkish visits from German residents during the same period, marking a 26.8% year-over-year increase. Bulgaria and Georgia also maintained strong positions in the top five, contributing to growth with increases of 21.2% and 6% respectively. Taken together, these movements highlight a broader trend of diversification among travelers to Turkey, with several European markets posting gains and Russia facing the only year-over-year decline among leading contributors.
By the end of February, the data indicate a unique situation: Russia stands out as the sole major market experiencing a year-over-year decrease in tourist flow, while all other leading sources either held steady or grew. This divergence calls attention to the evolving dynamics of regional tourism, where geopolitical, economic, and seasonal factors intersect to shape visitor patterns.
Against this backdrop, questions about how travel behavior is adapting become common. For instance, conversations have circulated about how travelers are approaching Schengen visa access ahead of the May holidays, reflecting broader concerns about mobility and travel planning during peak travel windows. Meanwhile, there were reports that Russians are increasingly booking in higher service tiers, a trend that aligns with broader shifts toward comfort and convenience in international travel.