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Turkey Seeks to Turn Geographical Indication Products into Global Brands
With the world’s second-highest number of geographical indication registrations, Turkey is shifting its focus from certification to branding in order to boost exports, tourism and producer income
Turkey Seeks to Turn Geographical Indication Products into Global Brands

Turkey aims to significantly raise the international profile and economic impact of its geographically indicated products, building on its position as the world’s second-ranked country for geographical indication registrations. According to data from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TURKPATENT), 1,794 products nationwide have already been granted geographical indication status, highlighting the country’s rich agricultural and cultural diversity.

Geographical indications identify products whose qualities, reputation or characteristics are closely linked to their place of origin. In Turkey, these products range from agricultural goods to traditional foods and handicrafts, forming an important part of regional identity and local economies.

Gaziantep leads, regional diversity remains strong

Gaziantep, Turkey’s first city to join UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for gastronomy, tops the national list with 108 registered products. Other provinces show smaller but still significant portfolios: Kırıkkale and Muş each have four registered products, while Tunceli and Bingöl follow with five each. Applications for new geographical indications continue to be filed every year, expanding the system and helping consumers better understand the origins and qualities of regional products.

TURKPATENT President Muhammed Zeki Durak told Anadolu that while Turkey’s registration numbers demonstrate substantial potential, the next step must be strategic branding. “We are a very rich country in terms of agriculture. We have the opportunity to further develop this potential. Registration numbers show this richness, but what truly matters is increasing the recognition of these products,” he said.

Durak added that the goal is to enhance the contribution of geographically indicated products to the national economy, generate higher added value for producers, and raise both domestic and international awareness of the system.

A driver for tourism and regional travel

Beyond their economic role, geographically indicated products also influence travel behaviour. Durak noted that such products are often best experienced in their region of origin, directly linking them to tourism flows. “Because geographically indicated products carry characteristics unique to the regions where they are produced, they are best experienced in those regions. Tourists act on the question, ‘Where can I best taste or buy this product?’ This directly affects travel preferences,” he explained.

He also emphasized that geographical indication registration signals quality and authenticity, but stressed the need to scale production and strengthen export channels in order to reach global markets.

Training producers for global markets

As part of a joint initiative between TURKPATENT and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), producers of Edremit olive oil from Balıkesir and Memecik olive oil from Aydın received training this year. The programme covered industrial property rights, commercialization strategies, e-commerce and effective use of social media.

Further training is planned for 2026, targeting producers of Malatya apricots and Giresun tombul hazelnuts. Through these initiatives, Turkey aims to move beyond registration toward sustainable commercialization, positioning its geographically indicated products not only as protected regional specialties, but as competitive global brands.

Image Credit: © AA


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