Key developments in May 2025 include the growth of the tourism sector, the launch of transport innovations, real estate market dynamics, and other important updates in the country.
Tourism in Turkey in 2025
This year, over 7 million tourists from Russia and around 5 million from the United Kingdom are expected to visit Turkey, exceeding last year's numbers.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, Turkey's tourism sector is expected to generate 135.35 billion USD in 2025, equivalent to 12 percent of GDP. This will mark a record high, reflecting the sector's recovery after the pandemic.
Revenue from international tourists is projected at 67.7 billion USD, while domestic tourism is expected to contribute 36.5 billion. Tourism will provide 3.3 million jobs, accounting for 11.3 percent of total employment in the country.
WTTC head Julia Simpson emphasized Turkey’s blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and hospitality, highlighting Turkish Airlines’ key role in expanding international tourism.
Transport system and new projects
Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced the development of a high-speed train capable of reaching 350 km/h. The new route will reduce travel time between Ankara and Istanbul to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
The project is part of a national strategy aimed at enabling cross-country travel within 48 hours by the year 2053.
Inflation
Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek reported that inflation expectations for the next 12 months dropped to 25.1 percent in May 2025, down 8.2 points year-over-year and 0.5 points from the previous month.
Investment inflow into the economy
According to the International Investors Association, foreign direct investment in Turkey totaled 3 billion USD in the first quarter of 2025. In March alone, the country attracted 1 billion USD, confirming Turkey’s ongoing appeal to global investors.
Energy and resource exploration
President Erdoğan announced the discovery of a new natural gas field in the Black Sea with an estimated volume of 75 billion cubic meters. Exploration is underway at the Göktepe-3 well using the state-of-the-art drilling ship Abdulhamid Han.
Real estate market
The average rent in Istanbul rose to 26,500 Turkish lira. Over the past decade, rental prices increased 12-fold, and the number of renters reached 24 million.
Property sales in April 2025 increased by 56.6 percent compared to the same period last year, totaling 118,359 transactions. The most active markets were Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Sales to foreigners rose by 13.2 percent, reaching 1,440 units.
Education for international students
Turkey entered the top ten countries globally in terms of the number of international students. In the 2024–2025 academic year, students from 180 countries arrived in Turkey.