Antalya’s Tourism Decline Continues Into September

Antalya received 12,483,159 foreign visitors between January and September 2026, down 5.6% year on year, according to provincial tourism figures reported by DHA. The destination recorded 752,605 fewer foreign arrivals than in the same period of 2025. September remained negative, with a 3.5% decline, although the nine-month downturn was less pronounced than the January–August rate. Russia remains Antalya’s largest source market, while Germany and the United Kingdom accounted for about 43% of the overall shortfall.

Antalya records 752,605 fewer international visitors

Antalya attracted 2,195,140 foreign visitors in September, a decline of 3.5% from a year earlier. Across the first nine months, international arrivals totaled 12.48 million. Including visitors with Turkish citizenship, the broader nine-month count was 13,330,110. These two sets of figures cover different groups; the year-on-year comparison in this article refers to foreign visitors.

The pace of the cumulative decline eased. The provincial authority reported a 6.1% year-on-year fall for January–August and 5.6% for January–September. July, August and September together brought about 7.23 million foreign arrivals, roughly 58% of the nine-month total. The latest month improved the cumulative comparison but did not erase the gap with 2025.

Russia remains Antalya’s largest tourism market

The Russian market generated 3,326,769 arrivals between January and September, an increase of 19,876 people, or 0.6%, year on year. Russia’s share of the foreign visitor market rose from 24.9% to 26.6%. In September alone, arrivals from Russia increased 2.6% to 659,516, representing approximately 30% of the month’s foreign total.

Ukraine also recorded an increase, with 385,317 visitors, up 5.8%. Hungary grew 12.8% to 137,454 and Uzbekistan rose 49.3% to 61,511. These gains offered some support, but they were not large enough to offset losses across several established European markets.

Germany and the UK drive 43% of the shortfall

Germany remained Antalya’s second-largest market at 2,532,988 visitors, down 170,122 or 6.2%. Arrivals from the United Kingdom fell 153,843, or 11.9%, to 1,139,005. Together the two markets delivered 323,965 fewer visitors, approximately 43% of Antalya’s reported net decline in foreign arrivals.

Poland was down 5.1% to 1,051,168 visitors, while the Netherlands dropped 6.7% to 362,283. Romania saw the steepest percentage fall among the top ten source markets, at 16.1%, with 332,235 arrivals. Monthly trends were not uniform: Poland rose 0.6% in September, and Kazakhstan increased 13.7% in that month even though both remained below last year’s nine-month totals.

Higher costs challenge Antalya’s pricing

In its September report, Ekonomim quoted tourism industry representatives who linked softer demand to rapidly rising domestic costs and the declining price appeal of Turkish holidays in some European markets. Some hotels have used discounts to maintain occupancy. Such measures may help attract guests, but the effect on operating margins depends on how much room rates must fall and what happens to expenses.

Inflation has eased from earlier levels without removing pressure on operators. Turkey’s consumer prices rose 29.73% year on year in September 2026, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute, TÜİK. Labour, food, energy and maintenance expenses remain important for hotel budgets. International Investment previously examined how Turkey’s rising holiday costs are changing its competitive position in the Mediterranean.

Revenue-loss estimates still vary widely

Earlier industry estimates placed Antalya’s possible lost tourism revenue around €620 million, while another scenario suggested €700 million if the province finished the year with one million fewer visitors staying seven nights at €100 per day. An alternative assessment put the possible loss at $350–500 million. Those are different assumptions, not official revenue accounts, and the nine-month arrivals update does not establish how much hotel revenue was actually lost.

Turkey’s national statistics also underline the distinction. Visitor numbers declined 5.1% in the second quarter of 2026, while tourism income fell 2.6% to $15.87 billion. These are nationwide quarterly results rather than Antalya’s September hotel figures.

What the figures mean for hotel investors

Arrivals provide a useful measure of travel demand, but hotel performance also depends on occupancy, average daily rate, revenue per available room, length of stay and operating costs. International Investment’s broader analysis of hotel profitability in 2026 highlights how similar changes in visitor demand can produce different outcomes for individual properties.

An earlier International Investment review examined Turkey’s difficult tourism season before the summer peak. The final quarter will help determine whether Antalya’s cumulative shortfall continues to narrow. The risks are concentrated in Germany and the UK, while Russia and several smaller markets remain resilient. The next useful evidence for operators and investors will be accommodation statistics and hotel pricing rather than arrivals alone.

FAQ

How many foreign tourists visited Antalya in 2026?

Antalya welcomed 12,483,159 foreign visitors between January and September 2026, down 5.6% year on year in the published provincial figures.

How many visitors did Antalya lose in nine months?

The reported shortfall was 752,605 foreign visitors against the same period in 2025.

Did Antalya’s tourism decline accelerate in September?

No. September arrivals fell 3.5% year on year, compared with a cumulative 6.1% decline through August and 5.6% through September.

Which country sends the most tourists to Antalya?

Russia, with 3,326,769 foreign visitors over nine months, representing about 26.6% of the total.

Which European markets lost the most visitors?

Germany and the UK together accounted for 323,965 fewer arrivals, about 43% of the overall reported decline.

Has Antalya officially lost €700 million in tourism revenue?

No official loss of that amount has been established. The figure was a scenario from industry representatives, based on hypothetical visitor numbers, lengths of stay and spending.