Turkey Breaks Records in the Cruise Tourism Sector
The Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, announced a remarkable growth in cruise tourism during February 2025, with passenger numbers increasing by 509.3% compared to the same period last year, reaching 29,826 passengers.
The minister highlighted that Turkey began the year with record-breaking cruise passenger numbers, achieving consecutive records in January and February. He stated, “In February 2025, Turkey set an all-time record for cruise passengers in February, showcasing our strength as a key destination in the cruise tourism sector.”
Significant Rise in Ships and Passengers
The number of cruise ships visiting Turkish ports in February increased by 220% compared to the same month last year, with 16 ships docking at the ports. The passenger count saw a remarkable jump, reaching 29,826 passengers.
- Kuşadası Port: Received 7 ships and 10,656 passengers.
- Istanbul Ports: Hosted 4 ships and 9,743 passengers.
- Alsancak Port (Izmir): Welcomed 4 ships and 8,484 passengers.
- Antalya Port (Port Akdeniz): Hosted 1 ship and 943 passengers.
Istanbul Leads the Sector
In the first two months of 2025, Turkish ports welcomed a total of 39 cruise ships and 62,512 passengers. Istanbul’s ports led the sector by accommodating:
- 24,257 passengers and 12 ships.
Followed by: - Alsancak (Izmir): 16,485 passengers and 8 ships.
- Kuşadası: 11,559 passengers and 8 ships.
Turkey as a Global Cruise Destination
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized Turkey’s growing status as a global hotspot for cruise tourism, thanks to its historical, cultural, and natural riches. He noted, “With the opening of Galataport and the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, Turkey has become one of the top cruise destinations. In 2024, our ports hosted 1,195 cruise ships and 1,889,426 passengers—the highest figures since 2015. We anticipate that in 2025, passenger numbers will surpass 2 million, setting another record.”
Turkey continues to solidify its position as a global leader in the cruise tourism sector, attracting ever-increasing numbers of visitors.
✨ Sustainable growth highlights Turkey’s international appeal in cruise tourism! ✨
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