20 million visitors: Istanbul became the most visited city last year
According to Euromonitor International's report on the top 100 city destinations in the world, more than 20 million travelers visited Istanbul last year. Thus, the Turkish capital became the absolute world leader in terms of international arrivals in 2023.
What caused such a stir and what exactly attracts tourists to Turkey and its capital? Travel + Leisure found out.
The report says that Istanbul topped the list in terms of international arrivals in 2023 with a 26 percent increase over the previous year. It is noted that this growth may be the result of the final lifting of quarantine and the resumption of international travel from China.
In addition, in January 2024, Turkey eased visa requirements for North American citizens, including Canadian and US citizens, allowing them to travel without visas for up to 90 days. However, from now on, to check into a hotel, you should plan your trip and book tickets to all must-see places earlier to avoid waiting in long lines.
