Due to strong demand for the nation’s maritime tourism, Turkish Ports welcomed 490 cruise ships in the first half of this year, up 18.07% annually, a top official stated.
“Growing interest in our country’s cruise tourism is the number one indicator of the rising demand for our maritime tourism, thanks to Turkey’s geographical location,” said Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu. He also stated that the number of cruise passengers increased by 27.46% year-over-year in the first six months of the year, reaching 732,302.
In June alone, the number of cruise ships calling at Turkish Ports rose 14.56% year-on-year, totaling 173, while the number of passengers arriving at those ports reached 293,766, up 20.61% on an annual basis, Uraloğlu said.
Cruise ships and the Port of Kuşadası
Uraloğlu said Turkey has become a global tourism hub as more international passengers choose the country for its rich historical, cultural and natural heritage. He said investments in cruise tourism continue, along with other investments in all modes of transportation in Turkey. “We expect to surpass 2 million passengers this year easily,” he said.
In the first half of the year, 227 cruise ships and 339,922 cruise passengers visited the Port of Kuşadası in the southwest of the country.
Istanbul Ports
With 96 cruise ships and 220,720 passengers, Istanbul’s ports came next, followed by Bodrum in the southwest with 29 cruise ships and 31,761 passengers, Çeşme with 24 ships and 11,183 passengers, and Çanakkale with 15 ships.
During the same time period, 119,743 people and 99 cruise ships were hosted by other ports, according to Uraloğlu. In the first half of the year, he noted, one cruise ship docked at the ports of Sinop, Göcek, and Fethiye.
Source: Daily Sabah
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