As Turkey strengthens its position in cruise tourism, it aims for significant growth by 2025, driven by sustainability and technological transformation. The country is anticipating a record number of ships and passengers, with projections indicating that over 2 million cruise passengers will visit Turkish ports this year alone.
Burak Çalışkan, a representative from the sector, noted that 2024 is expected to be a year of recovery and resurgence for the cruise industry. Post-COVID travel habits are normalizing, making Mediterranean and Aegean destinations increasingly attractive. He stated, “Interest in cruises to Turkey has reignited, with a notable increase in requests from both individual travelers and travel agencies for the 2024 season.”
Turkey's geopolitical position presents both advantages and risks, as political tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Middle Eastern regions can influence cruise routes. Nevertheless, the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts remain alluring, thanks to their rich historical and cultural heritage.
Çalışkan emphasized that cruise tourism boosts demand for safe ports, placing Turkey in a favorable position. He predicts that the country's competitive edge will continue to grow, with 2025 highlighting sustainable tourism and eco-friendly ship technologies. Companies are aiming to reduce environmental impact while reaching broader audiences. Key goals for the sector include adding new destinations to cruise routes, enhancing existing port capacities, and increasing international promotional activities.
Particularly, potential ports in the Black Sea region are under study, alongside smaller port towns and boutique destinations, which aim to offer unique experiences for cruise passengers. Çalışkan also pointed out that Turkey's cultural heritage provides ample opportunities to attract more visitors. He added that Turkey's share in cruise tourism is still insufficient compared to its potential, emphasizing the need for increased infrastructure investments, expanded port capacities, and stronger relationships with international cruise companies.
Ercan Abitağaoğlu, the Turkey Director for Costa Cruises, confirmed that 2024 has been a successful year for the sector, with demand for cruise tours growing exponentially. He stated that they have set ambitious targets for 2025, noting that the situation in the region has remained stable for the past year, with no security issues in Turkish cruise ports.
Abitağaoğlu highlighted that the cruise sector presents a significant opportunity for Turkish tourism, contributing to regional development through tourists brought by large vessels. For the 2025 season, optimism is high, with expectations for a 60% increase in local tourists choosing cruise holidays from Turkey and a 20% rise in the number of arriving ships, which should lead to a 30% increase in passenger numbers.
He acknowledged that the cruise sector is dynamic and open to innovations, although the Black Sea currently faces security concerns. Thus, the focus will remain on routes in the Aegean and Mediterranean for 2025. Abitağaoğlu concluded that Turkey has yet to capture its fair share of the cruise tourism market due to various factors, including high operational costs at privately managed ports, which exceed the Mediterranean average, and additional coastal safety fees that diminish competitiveness.