International travel has changed a lot over recent years, and 2022 was an eye-opener for many in the industry, as it proved that people still had the desire to explore and visit foreign destinations. Türkiye was one of many countries that enjoyed a surge in visitor numbers in 2022. So, with the summer approaching, what do the experts believe Türkiye can look forward to in 2023? Which locations in Türkiye are they tipping the best to visit for the elite?
TURKEY TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS 2023
“Türkiye Is Now in The Super League in the Global Tourism Industry”, Says Tourism Minister.
Tourist arrivals in Türkiye exceeded all expectations in 2022. Türkiye’s Culture and Tourism Minister, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, said last November that he expects to end the year with more than $46 billion in tourism revenue, having welcomed more than 51.5 million visitors.
At the start of 2022, targets of 42 million arrivals and $35 billion in tourism revenue were set. Due to an overwhelming influx in tourist numbers, these figures were quickly met, and two more targets were put in place and exceeded. The final year-end figures should be announced soon, but this is great news for all those involved in Türkiye’s tourism industry and bodes well for another bumper year in 2023, with 60 million arrivals and $56 billion in tourism revenue expected.
Istanbul Airport Expects To Be The Busiest In Europe Again in 2023
According to data from Eurocontrol, Istanbul IGA Airport was the busiest in Europe in 2022. The airport, which became fully operational in the second quarter of 2019, ran an average of 1,156 daily flights in 2022, just surpassing Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, which ran a daily average of 1,140. Frankfurt, Paris CDG. and London Heathrow also appeared in the top five.
Turkish Airlines were also ranked as the third busiest airline in Europe according to Eurocontrol, operating 1,245 flights daily. Ryan Air was the busiest, with 2,356 flights a day, and Easy Jet came in second, running an average of 1,335 flights.
As we enter 2023, Eurocontrol believes airports and airlines will continue to recover from the pandemic years. A spokesperson said, “we expect 2023 total traffic will reach 92 per cent of pre-COVID levels, with full recovery from the pandemic expected in 2025.”
Trending Locations in Türkiye for 2023, According to The Travel Press
Conde Nast Suggests You Visit Alacati
According to an article in Conde Nast late last year, Alacati is one Turkish destination that should be on your itinerary. This charming village is no stranger to our blog and is often described as “Bodrum without the tourists”. The last decade has seen this former sleepy setting become a popular haunt with the elite, superyachts, and in-the-know travellers. We expect it to gain even more popularity in 2023, as it is simply a beautiful place to explore and spend time.
If you fancy paying a visit to Alacati, expect good beaches and anchorages, a local bazaar, café culture, and some excellent restaurants serving top-notch Turkish and Aegean cuisine. Alacati is also a popular windsurfing and kitesurfing destination, so perfect for guests looking to indulge in water sports. Read more about Alacati…
Izmir is Listed as One of Forbes Best Places to Travel in 2023
Izmir is a big, bustling Turkish coastal city with a phenomenal past. It has played home to Alexander the Great, the Romans, Persians, and Ottomans, who all left their mark on the landscape, making it one of Türkiye’s most historic and culturally rich locations.
Izmir and its coastline are frequented by superyachts during the summer season, so it’s good to see the region get some recognition and appear as one of Forbes Best Places to Travel in 2023. They describe it as a “conglomeration of culture, history, religion, and just about anything you can think of”. Forbes suggests visiting Izmir Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi) in the city centre and travelling the hour on to discover Ephesus, one of the Ancient Wonders of the World. Read more about Ephesus…
The Guardian Suggests Visiting Gaziantep
In Jeremy Seal’s Guardian article, Top 10 Places to Holiday in 2023, Türkiye’s southeast and the cities of Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa (Urfa) took the spotlight. This region was off-limits until recently due to its proximity to war-torn Syria. Still, visitor numbers started to rise last year, and the area expects to welcome many more tourists in 2023.
Gaziantep, Urfa, and the Upper Euphrates Basin are fascinating, not only in terms of the bustling bazaars, music, and culture but also because of the region’s wealth of historical sites and museums. Not far from Urfa, the neolithic remains of Göbekli Tepe can be found, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site said to be twice as old as Stonehenge. The regional cuisine is also outstanding, as the area is famed for its kebabs and baklava, and some of the local restaurants are known to serve some of the best regional food in Türkiye.
Istanbul Should Be on Your Itinerary, According to The New York Times
For food, culture, history, and adventure, the New York Times suggest visiting Istanbul in their list of 52 Places to Go In 2023. Istanbul is undoubtedly one of the world’s “must-see” locations and a hotch-potch of the new and old. The New York Times article focuses on work done to breathe life back into the city’s historic old buildings in readiness for the Turkish Republic’s 100th-anniversary celebrations, which are sure to be spectacular and will be held this October.
The post suggests looking around the renovated factory of Feshane, famed for manufacturing iconic Turkish hats. It also mentions the conversion of one of Istanbul’s first steel buildings, which will soon be a large art centre, and the restoration of the 22 fifth-century towers along the Mevlanakapi city walls, where an impressive 4.5-mile walking path is planned.
These are just a few of the new attractions Istanbul has in store for 2023, and the opening of several other art and cultural sites is also on the agenda, including the opening of the new Istanbul Museum in Karakoy, which will showcase works by Turkish artists such as Erol Akyavas and Fahrelnissa Zeid. CONTACT US to arrange a short break or tour in Istanbul.
LET 360° YACHTING ARRANGE YOUR 2023 CRUISING ITINERARY IN TURKEY
With so many locations in Türkiye worth visiting, it can be hard to pinpoint where’s best to head. Using a local agent that understands the language and the coastline means you benefit from all the latest info on where to go, events that may coincide with your visit, and anchorages that often escape the mainstream listings. Why spend researching a cruising plan based on information that may not be accurate? Let our experienced team do the hard work for you and discover the very best of the Turkish coast with a 360° Yachting itinerary. CONTACT US
