Türkiye Set To Welcome Over Two Million Cruise Tourists By End Of This Year, Strengthening Its Maritime Tourism Growth

Published on September 4, 2025

Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TÜRSAB) president Firuz Bağlıkaya has declared that Türkiye will surpass 2 cardinal cruise visitors by nan extremity of 2025, pinch a imaginable to adjacent aliases moreover outrank nan grounds of 2.2 cardinal successful 2013. This is simply a large milestone for nan country’s cruise tourism industry, which has been regaining gait successful nan post-pandemic period.

Bağlıkaya noted that nan sector’s early maturation is taxable to a number of determinants specified arsenic tourism infrastructure and section security. The strategical geographical location of Türkiye positions it arsenic a preferred destination for cruise tourism, notably successful nan Eastern Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Sea routes.

Significant Growth successful Cruise Ship Arrivals

According to information from nan Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, 675 cruise ships brought complete 1 cardinal passengers to Türkiye betwixt January and July 2025, representing a 19% yearly increase. This maturation is portion of a broader world betterment successful cruise tourism, which has rebounded powerfully since nan COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, nan number of cruise tourists has reached 35 million, a 5 cardinal increase from pre-pandemic levels.

Türkiye’s Strategic Location Boosting Cruise Tourism

Bağlıkaya highlighted that Türkiye’s position astatine nan crossroads of 3 awesome seas—the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Sea—gives it a beardown competitory separator successful nan world cruise tourism market. The country’s awesome ports, specified arsenic Kuşadası, İzmir, and Bodrum, person go regular stops for world cruise lines walking done nan Aegean and Mediterranean, helping to heighten Türkiye’s entreaty arsenic a key cruise destination.

Istanbul arsenic a Key Departure Port

One of nan astir important developments successful Türkiye’s cruise tourism has been nan shift of İstanbul from a specified stopover to a central cruise hub. Bağlıkaya emphasized nan importance of İstanbul Galataport, which has played a pivotal domiciled successful this transition. The installation has made it imaginable for cruise vessel tours to statesman and extremity successful Istanbul, allowing visitors to acquisition nan metropolis first-hand, which successful move boosts nan local economy crossed a wide scope of sectors.

As Istanbul continues to pull world cruise lines arsenic a main departure port, Türkiye is cementing its domiciled arsenic a starring destination for cruise tourism successful nan region, offering easy entree to iconic taste sites, historical landmarks, and beautiful coastal areas.

High Spending Potential of Cruise Tourists

Cruise visitors are known for their high spending potential, pinch galore engaging successful a assortment of tourism activities beyond conscionable sightseeing. Bağlıkaya noted that MICE tourism (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) and health tourism are becoming progressively celebrated among cruise visitors to Türkiye. The country’s well-developed infrastructure, luxury services, and entree to earthy treatment resources make it an perfect destination for these niche tourism markets.

The influx of high-spending cruise visitors contributes to local economies, creating opportunities for businesses successful hospitality, tourism services, and retail. As cruise lines proceed to see Türkiye successful their itineraries, these tourism-related sectors will proceed to benefit.

Cruise Tourism arsenic a Key Component of Türkiye’s Tourism Strategy

Bağlıkaya’s comments bespeak nan increasing value of cruise tourism wrong Türkiye’s broader tourism strategy. The government’s committedness to enhancing tourism infrastructure, including nan description of ports and nan improvement of caller tourism offerings, will thief guarantee nan sector’s maturation successful nan coming years. The accent connected sustainable tourism and nan creation of high-quality experiences for international visitors will fortify Türkiye’s competitory position successful nan world tourism market.

The Role of Regional Security and Infrastructure successful Tourism Growth

Bağlıkaya besides pointed retired that while Türkiye’s tourism assemblage is booming, nan maturation of cruise tourism besides depends connected regional security and infrastructure development. Ensuring that ports are equipped pinch modern facilities, maintaining a safe situation for travelers, and improving logistical connections betwixt ports and cardinal tourer sites are each important elements successful making Türkiye an charismatic destination for international cruise lines.

Türkiye’s Bright Future successful Cruise Tourism

With nan cruiseship tourer fig projected to surpass 2 cardinal by 2025, Türkiye is good connected way to regaining its position arsenic among nan champion cruise tourism destinations successful nan world. Its geographical position, mixed pinch its world-class ports specified arsenic İstanbul Galataport and Kuşadası, positions it arsenic a hub larboard for cruise lines operating successful nan Eastern Mediterranean. The emergence successful high-spending travelers, nan move toward sustainable tourism, and nan attraction connected location practice will guarantee that Türkiye continues to beryllium astatine nan forefront of nan processing world cruise tourism sector. As nan manufacture keeps connected growing, it is group to make a important publication to nan wider tourism assemblage successful Türkiye arsenic good arsenic stimulate economical maturation passim nan region.