Erzurum, which was previously mostly thought of as a winter vacation spot, is now becoming more popular as a summer vacation spot. With its unique culinary culture, breathtaking natural scenery, rich history, and cool highland environment, the city has grown to be a popular destination for many tourists throughout the summer months.
Ski Slopes and winter sports in Erzurum
For many years, Erzurum has been a center for winter sports in Turkey, thanks to its ski slopes at Palandöken and Konaklı. However, its allure goes well beyond the hills. The city is frequently referred to as an outdoor museum because of its historical monuments from the Saltukid, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. It has also gained a reputation for its cuisine thanks to local specialties, drawing tourists who want to sample real regional cuisine.
Travelling through centuries of Anatolian culture and architecture, tourists who arrive by the Touristic Eastern Express, organized tours, or independent travel frequently visit sites like the Twin Minaret Madrasa (Çifte Minareli Medrese), the Great Mosque (Ulu Camii), Lala Pasha Mosque, and the Yakutiye Madrasa.
Erzurum Appeals to Lovers of Nature
Erzurum’s magnificent surroundings, on the other hand, appeal to nature enthusiasts. Each year, more people visit locations like Yedigöller (Seven Lakes), Narman Fairy Chimneys, and Tortum Waterfall, which adds to the area’s rising ecotourism appeal.
The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) for Northeast Anatolia’s regional head, Nuh Şenol, claims that tourism in Erzurum and the surrounding regions has significantly increased in recent years. He mainly credits long-term investments in tourism development and better infrastructure for this rise.
“In recent years, we’ve started to see the same momentum in summer tourism that we previously achieved in the winter season,” Şenol said. “When you combine natural attractions like Tortum Waterfall and Narman Fairy Chimneys with our rich cultural assets, it’s clear why more people are choosing to visit. This growth is encouraging for those of us working in tourism.”
Erzurum has it all
Erzurum, which used to be a popular destination for many tour firms and travel agencies, is now busy during holidays, according to Şenol. The rise in demand has spurred local companies to improve their products and services. “Our city is developing steadily,” Şenol explained. “Restaurants, hotels and travel agencies are evolving as the number of guests grows.”
Additionally, he noted that although Erzurum had a large number of foreign visitors prior to the 1980s, interest from other countries had decreased until lately. But throughout the last five years, the area has started to see a rise in visitors from Germany, France, and East Asian nations.
“Thanks to the investments in infrastructure, more people are discovering this part of the country,” Şenol said. “While much of Türkiye experiences intense summer heat, Erzurum offers a refreshing highland climate. Add to that our well-preserved historical sites and strong culinary culture and you get a very attractive destination.”
Erzurum should be on every visitors bucket list
The city is constantly being promoted. Erzurum’s distinct character is introduced to cultural tour operators through frequent invitations from Şenol and his team.
“By showing these agencies our historical monuments, local cuisine and the many places worth exploring, we encourage them to include Erzurum in their tour offerings,” he said. “We hold at least eight to 10 of these familiarization events each year, hosting between 300 and 600 agencies from both inside and outside Türkiye.”
Source Daily Sabah / Image: pexels.com / Kader Azra Namuslu
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