A New Era in Tourism Relations Between Turkey and China Through Visa Exemption
Thanks to visa exemption and increased flight frequencies, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Turkey is increasing by breaking records, with a target of 1 million tourists.
The visa exemption granted by Turkey to Chinese citizens and the increase in mutual airline flights have created great mobility in the tourism sector, rapidly increasing the number of Chinese visitors.
Post-Pandemic Record Increase
The post-pandemic recovery process in the Chinese market has gained momentum, and the number of tourists is expected to break a record by the end of this year. While 425,348 Chinese tourists visited Turkey in 2025, the figure is projected to exceed 550,000 this year.
An Air Bridge of 76 Flights
The visa exemption introduced by Turkey on January 1, 2026, was supported by mutual flight increases by airlines. The total weekly number of flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Chinese flag carrier airlines has reached 76.
30 Percent Increase in the First 7 Months
In the first 7 months of the year, the number of tourists coming from China increased by 30 percent compared to the same period of last year, leaving 300,000 behind. Industry representatives predict that the target of 1 million tourists will be reached in 2027.
Long Stays and High Spending
Chinese tourists, who stay in Turkey for an average of 9 nights and 10 days, spend between 1,000 and 1,500 dollars per capita. They show great interest in regions such as Cappadocia and GAP.
Tourism Investments on the Agenda
TÜROB President Müberra Eresin stated that Chinese investment groups are closely monitoring accommodation investments, particularly in Istanbul, and that relations will be transformed into an economic partnership.
Flight Searches Multiplied
Following the visa exemption decision, according to data from China's leading travel platform Qunar, flight searches from China to Istanbul increased by approximately 6 times.