- In March alone, British holidaymakers visiting Türkiye up 16% YoY, with 64% jump in the last week
- Türkiye gears up for a busy summer 2026 with travel advice unchanged and holiday destinations operating as normal
LONDON, April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) today announced that 16% more British holidaymakers visited Türkiye in March (30 days until 30 March 2026) than during the same period last year. In the last week alone (24 – 30 March 2026), UK visitor numbers jumped 64% year on year.
Türkiye's most popular British holiday destinations — including İstanbul, Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and İzmir— are very much operating as normal with bookings performing well and customer feedback in-resort continuing to shine. With these major holiday destinations located many hundreds of miles from the conflict, the TGA has confirmed that UK visitors are very much continuing to enjoy and look forward to their holidays on Türkiye's Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines. With great value to be enjoyed, on top of spectacular holiday offerings, the TGA is gearing up for a very summer season.
Sinan Seha Türkseven, General Manager of Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), said: "British travellers have made their verdict clear. Our border entries from the UK, and other European markets are showing double-digit growth year-on-year over the past few weeks. British holidaymakers clearly know that Türkiye's holiday destinations are open, welcoming, and as spectacular as ever."
Booking Data: British Travellers Are Choosing Türkiye
Data shows similar results, according to some of Türkiye's biggest tour operator and airline partners in the UK.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, said: "As the UK's largest tour operator to Türkiye, we have a very exciting programme on sale and we are looking forward to a busy summer taking customers on their well-deserved holidays to this fantastic destination. Customers travelling to Türkiye have been telling us how fantastic their holidays have been, and with such great value on offer, now is an excellent time to book that perfect holiday."
Zoe Harris, Chief Customer Officer at On the Beach, said: "Holiday bookings to Türkiye are seeing a strong resurgence among British travellers. In the past week alone, we've recorded a 160% increase in last-minute bookings for the Easter period. With excellent value for money and a wide range of standout destinations on offer, Türkiye is continuing to establish itself as one of the most popular choices for UK holidaymakers. This upward trend looks likely to continue throughout the year."
Helmut Wölfel, Commercial Director at SunExpress, said: "Türkiye continues to be an attractive option for UK holidaymakers, particularly for those looking to maximise value without compromising on quality. We're seeing customers make considered choices, and Türkiye consistently stands out for its combination of incredible hospitality, diverse experiences and competitive pricing, which is supported by a variety of SunExpress flight options to suit passengers' needs."
What Awaits British Visitors in Türkiye This Summer
Antalya, Türkiye's tourism capital, welcomes millions of British visitors annually with 300 days of sunshine, world-class resort infrastructure, and direct flights from across the UK. Bodrum, Dalaman and İzmir on the Aegean coast remain amongst the most sought-after summer destinations in Europe, combining historic sites with outstanding beaches, renowned cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. İstanbul, the majestic city on two continents, offers unforgettable moments to all of its visitors.
Tourism in all of these destinations is operating normally, and the UK FCDO travel advice remains unchanged.
Notes to Editors
About Türkiye:
Located in the Mediterranean and connecting Asia and European continents with the famed Bosporus, Türkiye is a unique destination that welcomed more than 63.9 million international travellers in 2025. The country has always been a hub for cultural interaction and home to varying climates. Today it inspires visitors with its history, nature, and gastronomy that reflect the diversity of civilisations for centuries. Located at the crossroads of cultures, Türkiye has a distinctive understanding of art and fashion which is the synthesis of tradition and modernity. Its dynamic shopping & entertainment life also attracts visitors from all over the world.
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