ANKARA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Key data on Türkiye's tourism industry in 2024 and early 2025 show that tourism is playing a crucial role in the country's economy, Turkish industry insiders said.

Türkiye hosted 52.6 million international tourists in 2024, a 7 percent increase from the previous year. The tourism industry recorded a record-breaking revenue of 61.1 billion U.S. dollars last year, according to official data.

Additionally, the industry is experiencing a surge in early foreign reservations for 2025, a key indicator of traveler confidence and sector growth.

Murat Toktas, vice president of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation, noted that early foreign bookings have risen by around 20 percent compared to previous years.

"This surge underscores Türkiye's growing appeal as a premier travel destination," Toktas told Xinhua, highlighting the potential economic benefits both in the short and long term.

Building on this momentum, the Turkish government has set ambitious targets for 2025, aiming to attract 65 million visitors and generate 65 billion U.S. dollars in tourism revenue.

While Russia and Germany remain Türkiye's key tourism markets, new contributors such as France, Britain, Poland, and Iran are gaining prominence, said Recep Yavuz, a tourism expert from the southern province of Antalya, a major tourist hub on the Mediterranean coast.

Antalya, in particular, is focusing on attracting more European and Asian visitors, aiming to surpass its 2024 record of 17 million tourists with a target of 18.5 million in 2025, Yavuz told Xinhua.

Yavuz explained that despite global economic challenges, the competitive pricing of most resorts in Türkiye is a major factor driving the increase in early bookings.

Amid geopolitical uncertainties, Türkiye stands out as a stable and relatively affordable travel destination for both Western and Eastern tourists, he said.

Türkiye is also capitalizing on the growing demand for cruise tourism. The number of cruise ship passengers arriving in the country surged by over 500 percent in February compared to the same period in 2024, marking a record high for the month, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced earlier this month.

"Achieving back-to-back records highlights Türkiye's growing strength as a cruise tourism destination," Uraloglu said in a written statement. Enditem

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