Muğla, one of Turkey’s renowned tourism hubs famous for its natural beauty, continues its upward trend in 2024 by welcoming 2,617,473 foreign tourists in the first eight months. Located at the junction of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, this enchanting city, with its 340,000-bed capacity accommodations, continues to attract visitors from around the globe.
British Tourists Lead the Way
According to data from the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, the majority of foreign tourists visiting Muğla are from the United Kingdom. In the first eight months of 2024, 1,118,079 British tourists visited the city. Following them were 278,465 tourists from Russia, 211,510 from Poland, 163,638 from Germany, and 66,498 from the Netherlands. Tourists from other countries totaled 779,283.
8% Increase Compared to Last Year
Governor of Muğla, İdris Akbıyık, stated that the city has achieved significant momentum with an approximately 8% increase in the number of foreign tourists compared to the same period last year. In 2023, Muğla hosted 2,429,981 tourists during the same period, and this year the figure rose to 2,617,473. Governor Akbıyık also emphasized that Muğla and its districts are visited by 7 to 10 million domestic tourists annually.
“The UK is Our Biggest Source Market”
Governor Akbıyık highlighted that Muğla is one of the cities attracting the most tourists from the UK, saying, “With its sea, sun, historical sites, and natural beauty, Muğla has solidified its position among global tourism destinations. The number of tourists from the UK has once again proven the city’s strong tourism potential.”
He also mentioned that Muğla stands out in sports tourism, hosting numerous national and international sports events throughout the year, keeping tourism activity alive all year round.
Rise of Boutique Hotels
Ali Mürşit Yağmur, President of the Dalyan Hoteliers and Tourism Association, noted the growing interest in boutique hotels this year. Yağmur emphasized that Dalyan, known for its Iztuzu Beach, reed beds, and historical richness, has become one of the prominent areas in tourism, especially favored by expatriates.
Muğla, riding on the success of its recovering tourism sector after the pandemic, aims to welcome even more foreign and domestic tourists by the end of 2024.
