Turkey posted a slowdown in foreign arrivals growth at the start of 2026, with January’s year-over-year increase easing to 3.48%, down from a 4.99% rise recorded in December 2025. The latest data, updated on 20 February 2026, indicate that while inbound tourism is still expanding compared with a year earlier, the pace of growth has moderated.
Both the current and previous readings measure how foreign arrivals changed versus the same month a year ago, providing a consistent year-over-year comparison. December 2025’s 4.99% gain reflected a stronger year-end performance, whereas January 2026’s 3.48% suggests a softer start to the new year in relative terms. Investors and tourism-related businesses will be watching upcoming monthly releases closely to gauge whether this represents a temporary pause or the beginning of a more sustained deceleration in Turkey’s foreign tourism momentum.
