Türkiye will experience the brightest period in its history in cruise tourism in 2025

According to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 2025 has become a year of "visitor boom" for Turkey. With visitor numbers approaching 50 million and cruise passenger traffic exceeding 2 million, Turkey has become the new center of attraction for tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean. Ahmet Yazıcı, Chairman of the Board of Sea Genesis Group, emphasized that the synergy between maritime and tourism is a strategic lever for the Turkish economy, saying, "The sea is the invisible yet strongest backbone of tourism. Türkiye's development in cruise ports, marina operations, and yacht tourism infrastructure directly increases foreign currency inflows while strengthening the country's brand."

Türkiye Exceeds 49 Million Visitors

Figures released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism reveal that 2025 will be a record-breaking tourism year for Turkey. Including expatriate traffic, the total number of people entering the country reached 49,992,520. Thus, Turkey achieved a 1.65% increase compared to the previous year, maintaining its strong tourism momentum. The increase in arrivals from citizens residing abroad reached 15.03%. This figure further proves that tourism is not just a travel resource; it has become a driving force of the country's economy.

Cruise Tourism Exceeds 2 Million Passenger Target

According to data from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the number of cruise passengers arriving at Turkish ports in the first 10 months of 2025 reached 2,021,326. The number of cruise ships docked at ports reached 1,278, while 203 cruise ships in October alone hosted 310,872 passengers, breaking a monthly record. Ahmet Yazıcı emphasized that the momentum Turkey has achieved in tourism is not merely a statistical achievement, but a structural transformation shaped by the power of its maritime economy. He said, “Today, Turkey is not just a tourist-attracting country; it is also transitioning to a maritime-driven economic model. Cruise tourism, marinas, maritime logistics, and port investments are no longer independent of one another. Working hand in hand with tourism, the maritime sector increases our country's foreign exchange inflow, creates employment, and enhances its brand value. This synergy is a strategic lever for Turkey's future economic sustainability.”

Revenue from the Sea Enriches Life on Land

Data for 2025 indicates that Türkiye is entering a phase of simultaneous growth in tourism and maritime development. Yazıcı emphasized that Türkiye possesses a geographical and cultural strength that can surpass its current potential, stating that maritime tourism will play a key role in this growth. He added:

The Mediterranean basin is now entering a new era of competition. We are in the same sea as countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain, but we have a distinct advantage: our geographical location, our young human resources, and our developing port infrastructure. As the maritime economy grows, port cities flourish; everyone—tradesmen, hoteliers, manufacturers, and transporters—profits. Income from the sea enriches life on land. Turkey is growing from the sea, and we will continue to be at the center of this growth.