Tourism facts: tangible and intangible qualities of Istanbul
In Istanbul, between 1990 and 2000 the number of tourists increased 110 percent, which is
above the general increase rate of Turkey of 93 percent for the same period (TURSAB,
2002). In 2004, the number of foreign tourists visiting Istanbul was only 76 percent that of
Barcelona, 30 percent that of London and 14 percent that of Paris (IMP, 2006). However, this
number rose in more recent years; between 2000 and 2008 the number of foreign visitors
tripled (Table I). Today, although Istanbul is still behind London and Paris, the number of
foreign visitors is nearly the same as that of Barcelona (Table II). The increasing penetration
of low-cost airlines, as well as cruise ships, contribute to the growing arrival numbers.
However, increasing arrivals do not necessarily indicate greater benefits from tourism. Given
the short average length of stay for Istanbul and limited tourism product offerings targeting