Story perspectives
Istanbul Welcomes 13.5 Million Tourists, Sets Record
9/30/2025
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Story summary
- Istanbul attracted 13.5 million visitors in the first nine months of 2025.
- Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy says the figure surpasses Turkey’s 2002 total tourist numbers.
- Ersoy cites a research-based approach to tourism resilience.
- Istanbul became the first Turkish city in the Michelin Guide in 2022.
- The government aims to position Istanbul as a leading global tourism capital under President Erdogan.
