Big news for travel lovers and fans of Türkiye — the country just made a massive leap in global tourism rankings. According to the latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Türkiye is now the 4th most visited country in the world, welcoming 56.7 million foreign visitors in 2024. That’s a significant jump from 5th place the year before.
The top five tourist destinations in the world now look like this:
1. France
2. Spain
3. USA
4. Türkiye
5. Italy
What’s behind Türkiye’s rise? Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy pointed to a few key reasons: a strong tourism infrastructure, a rich cultural and historical heritage, and year-round travel options that appeal to all kinds of visitors — from beach lovers to history buffs to adventure seekers. In fact, when you count both international and local tourists, Türkiye hosted a total of 62.3 million visitors in 2024.
Minister Ersoy summed it up perfectly, saying Türkiye is no longer just a country that people watch — it’s a country that others now look to as an example in tourism.
If you’ve ever been to Türkiye, this probably doesn’t surprise you. And if you haven’t, maybe now’s the time to start planning that trip.
And let’s not forget that Turkey is on the Mediterranean coast — a true slice of paradise. This region is a haven of sun and sea, home to stunning beaches, charming seaside towns, and a one-of-a-kind cuisine that blends fresh flavours with centuries of tradition. This is not to forget the friendly local population, certainly.
