Türkiye cruise tourism reaches 12-year peak with 1.5M passengers

ISTANBUL, Türkiye (MNTV) — Türkiye’s cruise tourism industry recorded its strongest performance in over a decade, welcoming nearly 1.5 million passengers in the first eight months of 2025 across 18 ports, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced on Thursday.

Ersoy said the surge marks the highest level in 12 years, with more cruise lines now using Türkiye as their main port, allowing for longer visitor stays and greater spending in local economies. “From January to August 2025, cruise tourism has achieved historic growth,” the minister noted in a statement.

The rise has provided a major boost to both tourism revenues and the cultural vibrancy of port cities. Istanbul and Kuşadası remain top destinations, while Çanakkale, Sinop, Trabzon, Samsun and Marmaris are emerging as new hubs. Galataport Istanbul has played a leading role in attracting international cruise lines.

Official figures showed cruise ship calls rising 17 percent to 878 this year, compared with 753 in 2024. Passenger arrivals grew 56 percent from 2023 and 18 percent over last year, with August alone setting a record of 357,646 visitors.

Ersoy credited the Transport and Infrastructure Ministry for its support in expanding port facilities and services, adding that Türkiye aims to consolidate its position as a global hub under the government’s “Century of Türkiye” vision. “Türkiye has become not only the Mediterranean’s but one of the world’s most attractive cruise destinations,” he said.