Decrease in the number of foreign tourists in Trabzon while the number of tourism facilities has increased.

Tourism data has been announced in Trabzon. In the city where there was a decrease of 0.64% in the number of foreign tourists compared to 2023, the number of domestic tourists increased by 6.09%. Last year, Trabzon was visited by 1 million 138 thousand 743 domestic and foreign tourists, and this year, it was visited by 1 million 164 thousand 137 people, marking a 2.23% increase.

The number of foreign tourists, which has been increasing every year in Trabzon, showed a decrease this year. Trabzon, which has become one of the popular destinations for tourists coming from Gulf countries to Turkey, did not achieve the expected increase this year. Between January and September 2024, Trabzon was visited by 322 thousand 34 people from Saudi Arabia, followed by Oman with 47 thousand 682, Iran with 33 thousand 223, and Iraq with 30 thousand 595.

When looking at the accommodation data of the top 15 countries that visited Trabzon, which has tourism centers such as Ayasofya Mosque, Uzungöl, Sümela Monastery, Kızlar Monastery, and Sera Lake, it was observed that only the number of tourists from 5 countries increased. In 2023, 269 thousand 216 Saudi tourists visited the city, and in 2024, this number rose by 19.62% to 322 thousand 34. In Oman, however, there was a decrease. Trabzon was visited by 47 thousand 682 tourists from Oman, marking a -18.35% decrease. Following this, Iran ranked third with 33 thousand 223 visitors, Iraq fourth with 30 thousand 595, Kuwait fifth with 30 thousand 516, Jordan sixth with 29 thousand 996, and the United Arab Emirates seventh with 25 thousand 91 visitors. Among the top 15 countries, the number of tourists from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Germany increased, while the number of visitors from Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Bahrain, Israel, Russia, Qatar, and Egypt decreased. The country with the highest decrease in visitors was Israel, while the country with the highest increase was Azerbaijan.

Visitors from 163 different countries

In its 9-month tourism period, Trabzon was visited by 515 thousand 627 domestic tourists and 648 thousand 510 foreign tourists from 163 different countries. Between January and September, 507 thousand 662 visitors came from Gulf countries, 87 thousand 668 from Asian countries, 27 thousand 999 from European countries, 9 thousand 732 from African countries, 3 thousand 446 from America, 986 from Australia, 237 from North America, and 8 from South America.

Increase in tourism establishment certificates

In the 9-month period of 2024, there was also an increase in the data of tourism establishment certificates from the ministry. In Trabzon, where there were 108 establishments in 2023, this number increased by 41.67% to 153. The number of rooms in the city increased from 5 thousand 258 to 6 thousand 151, and the number of beds increased from 10 thousand 940 to 12 thousand 831. Trabzon has 7 five-star hotels, 23 four-star hotels, and 53 three-star hotels. In establishments with simple accommodation certificates, there are 138 businesses, 3 thousand 392 rooms, and 6 thousand 784 beds. According to Law No. 7464 regarding tourism residences, there are 812 residences, 4 thousand 552 rooms, and 8 thousand 781 beds reported. In total accommodation establishment data, it was announced that Trabzon has 291 establishments, 812 tourism residences, 14 thousand 95 rooms, and 28 thousand 396 bed capacity. The district with the highest bed capacity is Ortahisar, while the district with the least is Dernekpazarı. The Çaykara district, home to the world-famous tourism center Uzungöl, ranks fourth with a bed capacity of 3 thousand 68.

Decrease in flight operations

In the foreign flight data for the 9-month period of 2024, there was a 10.02% decrease in the number of incoming flights. In 2023, 3 thousand 514 planes arrived in Trabzon, while in the January and September of this year, 3 thousand 162 planes arrived. There was also an 8.07% decrease in the number of foreign visitors; last year, 394 thousand 22 people came, while this year, 362 thousand 205 people arrived. Among the countries with incoming flights to Trabzon, Saudi Arabia ranks first with 822 flights, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 497, Kuwait with 449, Germany with 284, and Jordan with 211. In airline statistics, only Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Qatar, and Iraq saw an increase among 10 countries. There was a decrease in flight operations from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Germany, Jordan, Oman, Bahrain.

Only cruise tourism saw an increase

In cruise tourism, there was an increase in the first 9 months of 2024. In 2023, 12 cruise ships visited Trabzon, while this year there were 18 operations. The number of foreign tourists arriving also increased by 153.93%. Last year, 8 thousand 517 tourists visited Trabzon, while this year, 21 thousand 517 tourists visited.

Average stay duration of tourists is 8.5 days

According to the Trabzon Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, a face-to-face survey was conducted with 581 citizens of Gulf countries departing from the International Terminal of Trabzon Airport in August and September. It was determined that 58.2% of the tourists visiting Trabzon stayed in hotels, 30% in apartments, 6% in tourism residences, and 4.4% in their own homes during their visit. It was reported that 42.8% of the tourists who participated in the survey discovered Trabzon through social media, and a large portion of the tourists visiting the city stated that their primary purposes for visiting were sightseeing, entertainment, and relaxation.

It was learned that the average duration of stay for tourists visiting Trabzon is 8.5 days, with half of this time spent in Uzungöl and rural accommodations.