In this report we bring you the tourism statistics for Turkey in 2011, and also news of Kalkan's attendance at a major tourism fair.

It turns out that 2011 was another good year for tourism in Turkey. 

Antalya region and Istanbul were very popular, although Muğla region, with several destinations popular with UK visitors, did not do quite as well.

Let's begin with some analysis of the high level figures.

In 2011, 31.5 million foreigners came to Turkey, compared to 28.6 million in 2010 - an increase of almost 10%, and compares to an increase of just 6% in Europe.  In 2009, the figure was 27.1 million, so there is a very clear and sustained upward trend.

Tourism revenue also increased in 2011, by 10.6%, to US$23 billion. According to Ümit Boyner, head of Turkish Industrialists and Business Association (TÜSİAD), Turkey has about a 3% share in the world’s tourism revenues.

You can read more about tourism revenue in the following Today's Zaman article: Today's Zaman report

The top three border crossing points in 2011 are shown below.  Figures for 2010 in brackets.

1- Antalya  10.5m - 33.27% (9.3m - 32.30%)
2- İstanbul  8.1m - 25.61% (6.9m - 24.20%) 
3- Muğla     3.1m - 9.78% (3.0m - 10.39%) 

As you can see, Muğla region lost ground to Antalya and Istanbul in 2011.  Numbers were flat, and their share of the overall number of visitors to Turkey dipped slightly.  This reflects the statistics that we recently obtained from Dalaman airport, which showed a fall in numbers.

The top three nationalities, of foreign visitors to Turkey in 2011, are as follows.  We show the actual numbers, plus their percentage share of the total.  Figures for 2010 in brackets.

1 - Germany    4,826,315 - 15%  (4,385,263)      
2 - Russian Federation - 3,468,214 - 11%  (3,107,043)      
3 - United Kingdom - 2,582,054 - 8%  (2,673,605)    

Whilst numbers from Germany and Russia are up, visitor numbers for UK citizens are down on 2010.  Again, the Dalaman airport figures tie in with this - two thirds of Dalaman passengers come from the UK.

So how will tourism do in 2012?
The UN World Tourism Organisation reports that globally, international tourism reached 980 million travellers in 2011, and it is predicted to hit the 1 billion mark by the end of 2012.

Turkey is once again aiming to attract more visitors, and keep that upward trend going.  And at a local level, Kalkan is doing its bit to attract new visitors.

Between 9th and 12th February, Kalkan will be represented at the East Mediterranean International Tourism & Travel Exhibition (EMITT), in Istanbul. 

It is claimed to be the world's 5th biggest tourism fair, and more than 60 countries will be represented.

Members of the Belediye will be there, together with local businessmen. 

If you are in Istanbul, you can find the Kalkan/Kaş delegation in Salon 3 - stand 3721, and also in Salon 12 - stand 1234.

To find out more about the exhibition, click on the following link: EMITT Istanbul 2012