TGA NEWSLETTER, JANUARY 2023

Advertising and Digital Promotion Activities

Digital impressions in January totalled 2 billion

The Turkish Riviera 2, Coming Soon, along with the İstanbul is the New Cool campaign’s “Shopping in İstanbul is the New Cool”, “Taste in İstanbul is the New Cool”, and “Art in İstanbul is the New Cool” were broadcast on TV in more than 200 countries. In digital media, twelve commercials were broadcast across more than 200 countries, reaching 2.9 billion views.

Events and Organizations

TGA hosted 128 people in January

In seventeen events organized across 15 cities in Türkiye, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) hosted 128 people from 14 countries, of whom 108 were press members and influencers, opinion leaders, and 20 tour operators. The highlights of January’s hospitality events and other organizations are listed below:

Harry Potter Twins James and Oliver Phelps in Türkiye for Fantastic Four Shooting
The Fantastic Four team from England, who visited Türkiye between 3-9 January at the invitation of TGA, filmed the program in Türkiye. Known as the twins of the Harry Potter films, James and Oliver Phelps were the subjects of exciting, fun and action-packed shoots in İstanbul and Cappadocia as part of the program concept. The Phelps brothers, who have a large audience on social media, also shared striking frames and videos from the Türkiye filming with their followers
Bulgaria’s leading tour operators in Tekirdağ
TGA hosted the senior executives of Bulgaria’s leading tour operators in Türkiye between 10-12 January. Within the scope of the program specially prepared for them, the group visited many different historical, touristic, natural, and cultural sites in Tekirdağ and enjoyed a variety of Turkish dishes.
French gastronomy experts discover Turkish cuisine and recipes
The educational delegation of the French Gastronomy School Ferrandi came to Türkiye at the invitation of TGA. Hosted in İstanbul and Nevşehir between 03-09 January, the delegation received detailed information on Turkish cuisine and the gastronomy and cultural values of both cities they visited. While the guest delegation met with Turkish chefs, they also participated in various workshops and local tastings.
US clergy visit holy sites in Türkiye
American clergy members were hosted in Türkiye between 09-12 January as part of TGA’s faith tourism activities. Within the scope of the dedicated program, the 15-person group visited various religious and sacred sites in İzmir and İstanbul. The visitors were also informed about the privileged position of the two cities in terms of faith tourism as well as cultural and historical aspects.
Polish TVN channel screens winter tourism options in Türkiye
TGA hosted the film crew of TVN, one of Poland’s most-watched TV channels, in Kayseri and Nevşehir for shoots on winter tourism alternatives in Türkiye. The TVN team, in Türkiye from 11 to 15 January, filmed ski resorts in Erciyes. As well, the team visited other sites that can be enjoyed during the winter holidays in Cappadocia, which takes on a different beauty during the winter months.
İstanbul hosts European gastronomy influencers
Influential social media figures from Italy, Germany and Serbia were hosted in İstanbul within the scope of a ‘gastronomy-themed’ program. The guest influencers, who were in Türkiye between 12-15 January at the invitation of TGA, experienced different dishes from Turkish cuisine and street flavours in İstanbul. In addition, the 14-person group visited historical and cultural sites in the city, sharing all their dining and travel experiences during the İstanbul hosting via their social media accounts. Guest influencers posted content on a variety of topics, including the gastronomic values of İstanbul, and its historical and cultural richness
‘Feicht on Tour’ program focuses on İstanbul this time
Feicht on Tour, one of the most-watched programs in Austria, came to Türkiye upon the invitation of TGA. Bringing together different travel destinations in various countries of the world with its audience, Feicht on Tour filmed its new episode between 20-23 January in İstanbul. The program team, which visited many different points of İstanbul, shot footage highlighting the city’s many riches and values, especially its history, culture and gastronomy

Malaysian and Indonesian journalists experience fashion and shopping in İstanbul
TGA hosted leading fashion writers from Indonesia and Malaysia in İstanbul between January 23-26 with the theme of ‘Fashion and Shopping in İstanbul’. The group visited different historical and modern sites in İstanbul within the scope of the customized hospitality program, and experienced many İstanbul-specific experiences together, especially in shopping, fashion and gastronomy. Guest journalists also had one-on-one interviews with notable fashion designers and designers who have made brought Türkiye to the forefront in these fields. During these meetings, the visiting journalists also had the opportunity to closely examine the collections of fashion designers and designers.

Anatolia’s historical inns and bazaars host European journalists
Upon the invitation of TGA, a group of press members visited Türkiye from Greece, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, and were hosted in İstanbul and Bursa. From 25 to 28 January, the guest journalists visited the historical inns and bazaars that operated as the centre of trade and social life in Anatolia during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. During their visit to Türkiye, the group visited many historical and touristic sites of İstanbul and Bursa, while also sampling different dishes from Turkish cuisine.

International Fairs and Events

Türkiye’s bicycle routes and destinations introduced at the VakantieBeurs Fair

The 2023 VakantieBeurs Fair, one of the important meeting points of the tourism and event sector in Europe, was held in Utrecht, Netherlands between 11-15 January. TGA introduced Türkiye’s bicycle routes and destinations in the promotion area at VakantieBeurs, the largest tourism fair of the Netherlands and an event that draws numerous industry professionals in Europe. The UEFA Champions League Cup, with the final match to be held in İstanbul in June, was also exhibited in Türkiye promotion area, attracting great attention from Fair visitors and participants.

TGA meets with congress and conference organizers at IAPCO Edge Seminar

TGA attended the IAPCO Edge Seminar held in Geneva, Switzerland between 17-19 January. At the event, which attracted the attention of professionals from the congress and conference industry, detailed information was provided to participants regarding both the privileges Türkiye offers in this field and the country’s potential.

Türkiye Promotion Night held at NBA League match enthuses the audience

A ‘Turkish Cultural Heritage Night’ was held in Cleveland, USA before the Cleveland Cavaliers-La Clippers match played on January 30 as part of the US National Basketball League (NBA). The special promotion night, which featured Turkish folk dances and Turkish culinary events, was welcomed with great interest by the audience. The game venue featured digital screens displaying promotional images of Turkish culture and art.

Provinces and Destination Promotion Activities


A total of 336 meetings held to date

Within the scope of the Provincial Promotion and Development Program, which aims to promote the provinces and sub-destinations more effectively in the national and international arena, Osmaniye and Bilecik held third board meetings. Mersin, Kastamonu, and Bursa held fourth board meetings, while Ankara, Çankırı, Çanakkale, and Kocaeli held fifth board meetings. Antalya, İzmir, and Edirne held their seventh board meetings. Within the scope of the Provincial Promotion and Development Program, a total of 336 meetings took place including January, 2023.