Türkiye is on track to host a record-breaking 5 million British tourists this year, according to UK Ambassador to Türkiye, Jill Morris. During her visit to the country’s southern coastal regions, including Antalya, Bodrum, Marmaris, and Fethiye, Morris highlighted the increasing popularity of Türkiye among UK travelers.
“In 2023, around 3.3 million British citizens visited Türkiye, followed by 4.5 million last year. This year, we’re expecting to surpass 5 million,” said the ambassador.
She credited this growth to Türkiye’s expanding tourism infrastructure, especially the significant expansion of Antalya Airport, which has boosted its passenger capacity from 35 to 82 million. Direct flights from nearly every major UK city to Antalya have further fueled this growth.
Morris noted that the appeal of Türkiye for British tourists now goes beyond beaches, with increasing interest in cultural tourism, gastronomy, and adventure travel. Türkiye remains among the top five global destinations, with an estimated 61 million international visitors expected in 2025.
She also touched on the growing economic relationship between the two countries, with bilateral trade reaching £26 billion last year. Both nations are preparing for formal Free Trade Agreement negotiations in July to expand cooperation in services, technology, and digital trade.
A recent amendment to the current trade deal has also been signed to ease barriers and align regulations, further encouraging UK-Türkiye business partnerships.
On security matters, Ambassador Morris reaffirmed Türkiye’s vital role as a NATO ally and a major contributor to regional stability. Her visit also coincides with preparations for the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which will gather global leaders and diplomats for strategic dialogue.
