Türkiye ranks among top non-EU destinations for European travellers

Turkey

Eurostat data shows Türkiye was one of the three most popular destinations outside the European Union for EU residents in 2024

Türkiye ranked alongside the United Kingdom and Switzerland as one of the leading non-EU destinations for European Union residents in 2024, according to Eurostat data.

EU residents made around 1.2 billion tourism trips during the year and spent almost six billion nights away from home. Total tourism expenditure reached €618 billion.

Most foreign trips remain within the EU

Almost 73% of foreign trips taken by EU residents were to destinations within the European Union. Proximity continues to play an important role in travel decisions, with neighbouring and nearby countries particularly popular.

Among destinations outside the EU, the United Kingdom, Türkiye and Switzerland recorded the highest numbers of trips by EU residents.

Travel beyond Europe remained comparatively limited. Destinations in Africa accounted for 4.5% of foreign trips, Asia for 4.2% and the Americas for 4.1%. Overall, destinations outside Europe represented 13.1% of foreign trips.

Italy and Spain lead overall ranking

Within the broader international ranking, Italy was the most popular foreign destination for EU residents, accounting for 10.7% of all foreign tourism trips in 2024.

Spain followed closely with a share of 10.4%, underlining the continued importance of Mediterranean destinations in the European outbound travel market.