Tourexpi
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
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