Tourist arrivals in Turkey hit 295.2 mln since 2002

ANKARA

Some 295.2 million tourists have visited Turkey in the past ten years,which is nearly four times bigger than its population, and Turkey's tourism revenue has reached  $236 billion.

The number of tourists visiting Turkey in 2003 was 16.3 million and the tourism revenue was $13.8 billion, according to Turkish Statistical Insitutes' figures. 

Turkey's Istanbul was named European Capital of Culture in 2010 and more than 30 million visitors arrived in Turkey in the same year rising the tourism revenue to 24.9 billion USD.

In 2012,  the number of tourists arriving in Turkey reached 36 million increasing its revenue to $29. 3 billion.

In the first quarter of 2013, tourist arrivals have exceeded 5 billion and the revenue has reached $4. 9 billion 

Tourism revenues by years are as follows;