Tourism revenue was 21.7 billion dollars in the first half

Turkey's tourism income in the first 6 months increased by 27 percent compared to the same period of the previous year and amounted to 21 billion 734 million dollars. In the same period, the number of visitors increased by 17.5 percent to 22 million 945 thousand.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the tourism data for the first 6 months of 2023. Accordingly, tourism revenue in the first 6 months increased by 27 percent compared to the same period of the previous year and reached 21 billion 734 million dollars, while the number of visitors increased by 17.5 percent to 22 million 945 thousand. Minister Ersoy, “Despite the effects of the earthquake and the election process, Turkey caught these realizations.”

Mentioning the importance of average length of stay and spending per person per night in tourism data, Minister Ersoy said, “The overnight stay, which was 10.5 in the same period of the previous year, decreased to 9.9 nights. Spending per person per night rose 11.9 percent to $99.9. This is a very important figure. By 2017, our per capita nightly income had decreased to 62 dollars. Now it's close to $100."

Minister Ersoy said that Turkey is the country that makes the most effective promotion in the world; "We are working on new destinations. When you look at digital marketing in social media, Turkey, which was not in the top 20 5 years ago, has now come to the second place. It has reached the 3rd place in Tiktok."

Providing information about the studies related to sustainable tourism, Minister Ersoy said, “Sustainability will be one of the biggest criteria in the future. Turkey signed a 3-year protocol with the world's largest roof platform, GSTC. A three-stage program, by the end of 2023, the first criterion, 30 percent, has been met, and by the end of 2025, 70 percent must be met. By the end of 2023, one hundred percent criteria must be met. The number of hotels that received certificates began to increase rapidly. As of now, 4 thousand 132 hotels have received sustainability certificates. By the end of the year, we aim to obtain a sustainability certificate for all ministry-certified hotels. As of now, Turkey has come to the first place in the sustainability document stage."

Restoration works on Hagia Sophia and Galata Tower

Minister Ersoy also gave information about the restoration works to be done in Hagia Sophia-i Kebir Mosque and Galata Tower. Minister Ersoy said that the Hagia Sophia Mosque received 21 million visitors since it was opened for worship and said, “We have established a scientific committee about Hagia Sophia. Restoration works will be carried out in line with the work of this scientific committee. The works have started to come to fruition. As the static works are completed, the second restoration phase related to seismic retrofitting is started. First of all, in line with the board-approved restoration project, concrete mortar cleaning, aging lead surfaces on the domes will be removed, and work will be carried out on the repair of cracks and crevices under the dome. Then the lead cover will be repaired and installed in its place.”

The minarets will be dismantled and repaired

Stating that another important work will be carried out on the minarets, Minister Ersoy said, "In line with the recommendations of the scientific committee, the second Beyazıt minaret will be dismantled first. After the minaret repairs are completed, it will be put back in place. In other minarets, our scientific committee continues to work on statics. When deemed necessary, we will ensure their restoration. In all these works, Hagia Sophia will not be closed to visits and worship, it will be open. As of this week, we will start to publish the transactions to be made on a website and the scientific committee reports at ayasofyacamii.gov.tr."

The cone of the Galata Tower will be dismantled

"During the restoration work on the Galata Tower, we had to dismantle the outer scaffolding before the repair was completed, as it was during the migration season of the ebabil birds. Now, as of next month, environmental safety will be ensured and the regulations on the exterior will be overhauled. As of September, after the ebabil birds leave here, works that could not be done before will be carried out, especially on the cone. The cone will be dismantled, the structure underneath will be repaired, and then the cone will be reassembled.

Galata Tower received 564 thousand visitors in 2021, 1 million 267 thousand visitors in 2022 and more than 700 thousand visitors in the first 6 months of 2023. It has become the most visited historical center in Turkey after Topkapı Palace."

Tax and certification obligation for daily rental houses

Minister Ersoy, who made a statement in the question and answer part of the meeting, stated that they started a study on daily rental houses and said, "Documentation will be required for those who rent this type of rental, they will be asked to notify the people staying regularly. Taxes will be applied at certain rates on the income obtained from here." Minister Ersoy said, "We are shaping the legislation, all of them will be made into a registered economy, we are not against daily houses, we just want to make it in accordance with the legislation with a certain documentation as in the world. This is also a form of tourism, it has a lot of demand."

“It can't be canceled with what someone else did”

Minister Ersoy, to the question asked about the news that the shooting of the movie Mission Impossible in the Grand Bazaar was canceled; “It can't be canceled just because someone messed up. As a ministry, we are not Turkey 5 years ago, we have made it competitive with the world. We are doing what is necessary, and we can get better results if those who are dishonest can correct themselves."

“There is no deviation in our tourism targets”

Minister Ersoy, in the light of the preliminary data collected, stated that an increase in the number of visitors is expected in July compared to the previous year, that 7 million foreign visitors will be reached, and that the trend will continue to increase, adding, “Turkey is progressing in line with the year-end targets, there is no deviation from the target”.