Number of European Turks visiting Turkey sees sharp drop in 2015

ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency

DHA photo

The number of European Turks visiting Turkey as tourists has decreased from 2.7 million to 1.9 million so far this year over 2014, according to a survey by the Turkish European Foundation for Education and Scientific Studies (TAVAK). 

The average spending per European Turkish tourist has also decreased. 

Turkey has becoming less popular as a holiday destination for European Turks as the number of European Turks visiting the country has fallen to 1.9 million over this year from around 2.7 million in 2014, according to the TAVAK study, which surveyed 1,450 Turks living in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Austria.

Their average spending in Turkey has also decreased to below 1,000 euros for the first time over the last five years, according to the study. 

Most European Turks also now stay an average of 24 days in Turkey, although they used to spend at least one month in the country. 

“Specifically European Turks who are younger than 35 years old prefer visiting other countries rather than Turkey. Older European Turks also needed to cut their vacation budgets so they travel less than they did before,” said the research. 

The study also showed that most European Turks go to touristic destinations in Turkey, such as Bodrum, Antalya, Marmaris and Çeşme, rather than visit relatives. The most popular destination for them is Istanbul, according to the research. 

According to the TAVAK data, around 5.4 million Turks live in the EU.