Türkiye is expected to remain the leading holiday destination for Russian tourists heading into the 2026 summer season, industry officials said, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East reshape travel patterns.
About 6.7 million Russians visited Türkiye in 2024, rising to 6.9 million in 2025, according to data from Türkiye’s Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Tourism officials say Türkiye’s extensive flight connections, all-inclusive resort model and services tailored to Russian visitors have helped it maintain a competitive edge over rival destinations.
Mayal Lomidze, head of the Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR), said demand for Türkiye continues to outpace alternatives such as Egypt and Gulf destinations. Regional instability, including conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, has diverted both leisure and business travel away from hubs such as Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, she added.
Cemil Hakan Kilic, director of the Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau, said shifting geopolitical dynamics were also benefiting Türkiye’s meetings and conferences sector.
“Just as we saw a strong rebound in tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, similar growth could be seen in the conference sector,” Kilic told state-run Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of a tourism event in Moscow.
He said Istanbul’s role as a global transit hub, supported by Turkish Airlines’ network, has strengthened amid regional uncertainty.
Coastal destinations such as Antalya and major cities like Istanbul remain the most popular among Russian tourists, though officials are seeking to diversify offerings.
Mustafa Ates, mayor of Ortahisar in central Türkiye’s Nevsehir province, said efforts were under way to promote Cappadocia to Russian visitors, highlighting its cultural and historical attractions.
He said Türkiye’s tourism sector has shown resilience in the face of past shocks, including pandemics and regional conflicts, and could benefit from shifting supply and demand by offering competitive prices and a relatively stable environment.