Foreign visitors underpin Türkiye’s $1.1 billion-$1.4 billion sports tourism market
A 2026 sector report puts the market at $1.1 billion-$1.4 billion, with foreign visitors accounting for most spending.
Key takeaways
- Türkiye’s sports tourism market is estimated at $1.1 billion-$1.4 billion.
- Foreign visitors account for 50%-60% of sports tourism spending.
- Sports tourism contributes about 2% of Türkiye’s total tourism revenue.
- Golf tourism in Türkiye is estimated at €200 million-€250 million a year.
Türkiye’s sports tourism market is estimated at $1.1 billion to $1.4 billion, with foreign visitors generating 50%-60% of sector spending, according to Deloitte’s Türkiye Sports Ecosystem and Sector Report 2026. The sector accounts for about 2% of the country’s total tourism revenue.
Sports travelers can spend 1.5 to two times as much per person as the average tourist, according to international research cited in the report. Event fees, sports equipment, transport and longer stays contribute to the higher spending.
Football teams from Europe choosing Antalya for winter camps help extend tourism activity beyond the summer season. Türkiye is also set to host the 2027 European Games in Istanbul and UEFA EURO 2032 jointly with Italy, while it is a candidate to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Golf is another high-spending segment, with Belek in Antalya among the country’s established destinations. Abdullah Hazar, co-founder and CEO of Par5 Escapes, estimates Türkiye’s golf tourism market at €200 million to €250 million annually, while noting that the figure is a sector estimate rather than an official statistic.
Planned investments in Dalaman, and potential destinations including Bodrum, the İzmir area and Mersin, could spread golf tourism beyond Belek. Hazar said plans should account for water resources, environmental suitability, flight links and actual visitor demand.
This article was produced with the help of AI technology. Based on reporting by the outlets listed above.
