Pallavi Sharma
Turkey’s tourism success in 2024
2024 was a great achievement for Turkey. We welcomed approximately 61.2 million visitors, generating $62 billion in tourism revenues. The top three inbound markets were Germany, the United Kingdom, and Bulgaria, but emerging markets like India are playing a crucial role in our growth.
India’s growing importance in Turkish Tourism
The Indian market has shown immense potential for Turkey. Between 2023 and 2024, we saw a 20% increase in Indian travellers, reaching 335,000 visitors. India has always been an important market for us, and with new marketing initiatives, we are strengthening our presence. Indian travellers are drawn to Turkey’s rich culture, historical landmarks, leisure options, and gastronomy. Additionally, Turkey is gaining recognition as a premier wedding and honeymoon destination, with excellent infrastructure and human resources to host large-scale events.
Strategies to attract Indian travellers
We have positioned Turkey as a top wedding and honeymoon destination and are leveraging film tourism by encouraging Indian productions to shoot here. Indian travellers prioritize cultural heritage, gastronomy, and immersive experiences, and we are tailoring our offerings accordingly.
To deepen ties, Turkey is actively participating in major Indian travel events. We are present at SATTE and will soon embark on a six-city roadshow covering Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai. Around 30 Turkish companies are participating, reflecting immense interest in the Indian market. The demand from Indian travellers aligns perfectly with what Turkey offers, and we aim to foster stronger business partnerships.
Vision for 2025
Looking ahead, Turkey has ambitious goals for the Indian market. We aim to build on this momentum and increase visitor numbers from India. With India’s outbound travel market growing rapidly, we see immense potential to expand our presence. While Istanbul and Cappadocia remain favourites, we also want to introduce newer destinations such as the Aegean coast, Antalya, Belek’s golf resorts, Bodrum for luxury travellers, and the Black Sea region for outdoor enthusiasts.
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