Turkey announces an ambitious strategy to boost tourism from the UK, emphasising trade partnerships and diverse travel offerings.
- UK visitors to Turkey increased by 19% in the first half of 2024, with nearly 1.8 million visitors recorded.
- The Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency highlights the importance of travel agents in achieving record visitor numbers.
- Efforts are being made to promote Turkey as a year-round destination, moving beyond traditional summer hotspots.
- The expansion of flight services by major carriers underscores the increasing demand for Turkish destinations.
In a strategic move to fortify its tourism sector, Turkey has unveiled a robust plan targeting a substantial increase in visitors from the United Kingdom. This marks a significant milestone as the nation aims to amplify collaboration with UK travel agents to reach unprecedented levels of annual arrivals, capitalising on trade relations and a breadth of offerings that span its diverse regions.
The first half of 2024 witnessed a remarkable 19% surge in UK tourists visiting Turkey, with numbers approaching 1.8 million. This uptick reflects a growing trend among UK travellers seeking the rich cultural, historical, and natural experiences Turkey offers. The goal is set at an ambitious 4.5 million UK visitors by year-end, emphasising the need for sustained travel agent support to achieve this target.
Ismail Bütün, the leading general manager of the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, praised travel agents for their pivotal role in this tourism boom. He stressed the versatility of Turkish destinations, which cater to an array of interests from family-friendly beaches in Antalya to the vibrant arts and shopping scenes in Istanbul. His remarks underscore the collaborative effort required from both Turkish officials and UK travel agents.
To diversify its appeal, Turkey is working diligently to market itself as a year-round destination. While Antalya draws families during summer, there are concerted efforts to showcase attractions across all seasons. Activities range from golfing in Belek to adventurous paragliding, as well as visiting ancient ruins and engaging in winter sports in regions like Anatolia and Marmara.
Acknowledging the high demand for Turkish locales, airlines have responded by extending routes and increasing flight capacity. Notably, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have prolonged their service season to Bodrum to accommodate increasing traveller numbers, whilst SunExpress expands its presence with strategic appointments to enhance UK and Ireland sales.
Turkey’s strategic efforts and collaboration with UK agents are poised to redefine its tourism landscape.
