Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry Istanbul Directorate announced the number of foreign tourist arrivals for January 2011. According to the report, a total of 378.380 tourists visited Istanbul in January 2011; an increase of 28.5 per cent compare to January 2010. Last year, 294.352 international tourists visited Istanbul.

The German topped the foreigners visiting Istanbul in the mentioned period with 9.3 percent. The Russians followed the German with 8.2 percent, and then came the Italians with 4.8 percent. Other nationals choosing Istanbul as a tourist destination were Iranians (4.8%), Brits (4.6%), Americans (4.3%), French (4.0%), Japanese (3.3%), South Koreans (2.8%), Ukrainians (2.8%), Dutch (2.7%), Azerbaijani (2.5%), Turkmens (2.1%), Spanish (1.9%), Greek (1.7%) and other nationalities (40.1%).

Top 3 entry points to Istanbul are; 1) Ataturk Airport (315.268), 2) Sabiha Gokcen Airport (59.543), 3) Karakoy Transit (2.486).

Air travel increased 28% and cruise travel increased 184% compare to last year.