Tourism season accelerates in Bodrum: Over 350,000 foreign tourists arrived in the first 6 months

The summer season has gained momentum in Bodrum, one of the tourism hubs of Muğla. While the number of foreign tourists arriving in the district by air and sea exceeded 350,000 in the January-June period of 2026, it was stated that hotel occupancy rates reached 90 percent in July.

Alişir Şahin, Vice President of the Bodrum Hoteliers Association, said that as of the end of June, 296,000 foreign tourists had arrived in the district by air and 54,200 by cruise ships. Stating that the total number of foreign visitors exceeded 350,000, Şahin noted that the primary markets were the United Kingdom, Russia, Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands.

According to the information provided by Şahin, there was a decrease in the number of foreign tourists in the range of 2.5-3 percent compared to last year. However, with the closing of schools, activity in the domestic market has increased; with July and August, density has been observed on beaches, in bazaars, restaurants, on boat tours, and at entertainment venues.

The district's historical and cultural landmarks continue to attract the interest of visitors. Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology remain among the frequent stops for tourists during the evening hours as well as during the day.

Evaluating the course of the season, Şahin said that they expect the activity to continue until the end of October due to weather conditions, and that the season could extend into November if the "yellow summer" period goes well.

Stating that there are accommodation options in Bodrum that cater to different budgets, Şahin noted that prices in July and August are higher than in other months due to the high season. It was reported that the average length of stay for foreign guests is generally 7 days, while for domestic tourists it varies between 5 and 8 days.

News Source: 12punto