Turkey is focusing on boosting tourism from the UK as it aims for record visitor numbers by year’s end.
- The country welcomed nearly 1.8 million UK visitors in the first half of 2024, marking a 19% increase year on year.
- Plans are underway to achieve a target of 4.5 million UK visitors by the end of the year, highlighting Turkey’s popularity.
- Key figures in Turkey’s tourism sector emphasise the importance of UK travel agents in reaching this goal.
- Turkey is actively promoting year-round tourism and expanding visitor distribution across its diverse regions.
Turkey has expressed gratitude to UK travel agents for their role in achieving a very successful first half of the year, as the destination sees record annual arrivals from its third-largest source market. Nearly 1.8 million UK visitors travelled to Turkey in the first six months of 2024, reflecting a 19% increase compared to the previous year. The country’s target for the entire year is to attract 4.5 million UK visitors, illustrating the growing appeal of Turkey as a travel destination.
Ismail Bütün, general manager of the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, highlighted the necessity of UK travel agents’ continued support in the upcoming months. He remarked on the ease with which agents can cater to their customers’ diverse interests in Turkey, given the country’s wide range of attractions, such as the bustling city life in Istanbul and the natural beauty of Antalya’s canyons.
The record figures from last year show that Turkey received 3.8 million UK visitors, with hotspots like Antalya, Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris, Izmir, and Istanbul being the top destinations. Although the family market remains strong during the summer, efforts are being made to promote travel throughout the year and distribute visitors more widely across Turkey’s regions.
Bütün noted, “Istanbul is a fabulous city where you can enjoy the food, art, and shopping year-round.” He further encouraged exploration beyond the well-known summer attractions, citing a variety of activities available. For instance, Belek is gaining popularity for golf trips outside the summer season, and there are opportunities for windsurfing and paragliding in different locations.
During winter, Bütün mentioned that visitors could experience unique activities such as walking on a frozen lake, exploring ancient ruins, or skiing in Anatolia and Marmara. He emphasised the importance of familiarisation trips for agents to deepen their understanding of Turkey’s seven regions, recommending resources such as the GoTürkiye website.
Recently, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays extended their 2024 season to Bodrum from multiple UK locations due to increased demand. Additionally, SunExpress’s appointment of James Harrison as UK and Ireland country sales manager indicates a strategic push for growth in these markets.
Turkey’s strategic efforts in tourism are paving the way for a successful year with strong support from UK travel agents.
