Türkiye to host over 2M cruise tourists by end of 2025 - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

The number of cruise tourists visiting Türkiye is expected to exceed 2 million by the end of this year, potentially matching or surpassing the record 2.2 million achieved in 2013, according to the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB).

Rapid growth driven by strong demand

TURSAB Chairman Firuz Baglikaya said that between January and July, 675 cruise ships brought slightly over one million passengers to Türkiye, reflecting a 19% year-on-year increase based on Ministry of Transport data. He noted that global cruise tourism has rebounded quickly after the pandemic, with passenger numbers reaching 35 million compared to 30 million before COVID-19.

“Türkiye is benefitting from this global recovery as a country located at the crossroads of the Eastern Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Sea routes,” Baglikaya said.

Strategic role of ports and infrastructure

He emphasized the importance of major ports such as Kusadasi, Izmir, and Bodrum being included in international itineraries, boosting local tourism and strengthening Türkiye’s global position in the cruise market. Istanbul’s Galataport has been a game-changer, he added, transforming Türkiye from a stopover destination into a central hub.

“By serving as a departure port, Galataport ensures that tourists enjoy Istanbul first, creating a positive economic impact across a wide range of sectors,” he said.

High-value visitors and diversification potential

Baglikaya highlighted that cruise tourists tend to have high spending power and are often interested in complementary segments such as MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) and health tourism. He underlined the need to monitor evolving dynamics in the cruise sector and adapt products to changing demographics.

Industry perspective: MSC Cruises

Isin Hekimoglu, Türkiye Country Manager at MSC Cruises, confirmed the strong upward trend in recent years, pointing out that the ports of Istanbul, Kusadasi, and Izmir have become indispensable for regional and global itineraries.

“Türkiye’s unique cultural heritage, natural beauty, and strategic location play a key role in this growing interest,” she said. “With uninterrupted, year-round voyages from Türkiye, we welcome international guests while also giving domestic travelers the privilege of starting their cruises from their home country. Over the next three years, we plan to host 35,000 domestic guests while increasing international departures from Türkiye.”

Image Credit: © AA