War in Middle East drives Russian tourists to Türkiye in record numbers

2026-03-17 - 23:09

Türkiye has solidified its position as the premier destination for Russian tourists heading into the 2026 summer season, with industry experts citing regional instability as a key factor diverting travelers away from Gulf competitors. The Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) confirms Türkiye's dominance as missile threats and conflict reshape Middle East travel patterns. Russian arrivals surge Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry data shows Russian visits climbed from 6.7 million in 2024 to 6.9 million in 2025, with projections for further growth this year. ATOR President Mayal Lomidze noted a widening gap between demand for Türkiye and rival destinations such as Egypt or the Gulf states. "Ongoing instability caused by the joint US and Israeli war in Iran and the broader Middle East is diverting both leisure and business travel away from hubs like Dubai and the United Arab Emirates directly to Türkiye," Lomidze explained. Business tourism boom Cemil Hakan Kilic, director of the Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau, highlighted how geopolitical shifts are benefiting Türkiye's meetings and conventions sector. Speaking at the Moscow International Tourism and Travel event, Kilic pointed to Istanbul's strategic advantage as a global transit hub supported by Turkish Airlines' extensive flight network. "Missile threats in places like Dubai following Tehran's retaliation against joint US and Israeli military strikes" are redirecting business travelers to safer alternatives, he said. Kilic expressed optimism about future growth, drawing parallels to