Advertising and Digital Promotion Activities

Digital impressions in May totalled 917 million

The Turkaegean 2, Turkish Riviera and Cappadocia commercials, along with the İstanbul is the New Cool campaign’s “Shopping in İstanbul is the New Cool” and “Taste in İstanbul is the New Cool,” were broadcast on TV in more than 200 countries. In digital media, nine spots were broadcast across more than 200 countries, collecting 917 million views

Events and Organizations

TGA hosted 566 people in May

In 35 events organized across 23 cities in Türkiye, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) hosted 566 people from 63 countries, of whom 254 were tour operators, and 312 were press members, influencers or opinion leaders. The highlights of hospitality events and other organizations in May are listed below.

TGA invited writers from ADAC Reisemagazin, one of Germany’s leading travel magazines, to visit Türkiye between 26 April and 1 May. The group was hosted in Antalya, Balıkesir and Çanakkale as part of a special program and visited a number of distinct historical and touristic sites in the three towns. Guests visiting the ancient city of Olympos in Antalya also travelled to the Gelidonya Lighthouse and the Lymra Antique Theatre, both of which are symbols of the Lycian Way. In addition, the journalists visited the Ancient City of Troy and the Troy Museum in Çanakkale, as well as Cunda Island and the Kaz Mountains in Balıkesir, and were provided with detailed information on each locatio.

Representatives from major American media outlets were invited to Türkiye by TGA. During the tour, which took place between 1-5 May, the guest group visited historical sites in Mersin, Konya, Isparta and Antalya. In addition, the journalists went to Mersin, the birthplace of St. Paul, the St. Paul Memorial Museum and the Pisidia Antiokhela Ancient City in Isparta, St. Paul Church and Perge Ancient City in Antalya.

The United States Association of Tour Operators (USTOA) film crew, invited to Türkiye by TGA, conducted a special shoot in Nevşehir. Between 4-6 May, the team visited various points, particularly bicycle routes, in Cappadocia, one of Türkiye’s most important touristic regions, and also filmed in Nevşehir, offering an encompassing perspective on the area’s nature, culture, history, sports and gastronom.

By invitation of TGA, Onet, one of Poland’s largest internet news sites, came to Türkiye between 4-10 May. The Onet team, visited İstanbul, İzmir and Antalya to prepare a special promotion showcasing various cities in Türkiye. The guest team filmed at numerous locations across İstanbul, capturing the city’s storied history as well as its modern aspects. In addition to highlighting historical and cultural sites in İzmir and Antalya, the Onet team also documented the array of gastronomic, outdoor and sand-sea-sun sensations available to tourists visiting the Aegean and Mediterranean regions.

This year, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) selected Antalya as the locale for the Sustainable Tourism Conference, which took place between 9-12 May. TGA hosted 15 journalists from Germany, Spain, France, Poland, Belgium, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom in Antalya as part of this prominent conference, held in Türkiye for the first time in 202 The journalists attended various meetings and sessions and closely monitored developments in the field of sustainability. As part of a special program, journalists also visited Antalya’s historical and touristic landmarks, including the Ancient Cities of Perge and Side, the Temple of Apollo, and Kaleiçi.

In collaboration with Jet2, England’s largest tour operator, TGA hosted prominent social media figures from the UK in Türkiye. Invited to Türkiye as part of a golf concept program, the group was provided with information on the opportunities and advantages Türkiye offers to golf enthusiasts. In addition, the influencers toured Antalya’s golf courses and played golf. The group shared photographs and videos via their social media accounts, along with descriptions of their experiences.

TGA invited Libelle Magazine, one of Belgium’s leading magazines, to conduct a special shoot in Türkiye. Between 15-21 May, the crew shot in several locations that exemplify İstanbul’s historical, modern and 24-hour living city aspects. The Libelle team toured several districts of Cappadocia in Nevşehir as well, documenting the area’s distinctive fairy chimneys for the magazine

Route Hospitality

US journalist experiences Aegean beauties on the İzmir Cycling Route
TGA invited a cycling/outdoor sports journalist from the United States to experience the cycling route of İzmir, the sole Turkish city on the EuroVelo bicycle network. While riding on the İzmir route – a 500-kilometre segment of the EuroVelo 8 Mediterranean Route – the journalist explored the area’s ancient cities and regions, environment and many beauties by bicycle from 1 to 6 May. As part of the program, the American journalist also visited İstanbul, touring several historical, cultural, and touristic sites in the city.

European journalists tour Aegean vineyards
TGA invited a group of European press members to embark on the Aegean Vineyard Route, dedicated to food and nature. From 16-19 May, the journalists from England, France and Poland visited vineyards in İzmir and Urla, where they learned about the region’s grapes and sampled various wines and other products. While on the vineyard tour, the guest group also visited the ancient cities of Ephesus and Tripolis as well as the Pamukkale travertines.

Wooden Pillared Mosques of Anatolia leave guests in awe
Between 16-19 May, journalists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Serbia toured Anatolia’s old wooden pillared mosques. The group visited the Hacı Bayram and Ahi Şerafeddin Mosques in Ankara, the Sivrihisar Grand Mosque in Eskişehir, the Ulu Mosque and Mevlevihanesi in Afyon, and the Eşrefoğlu Mosque in Konya as part of the Wooden Columned Mosques Route.

European journalists hosted on the Caria Rout
TGA hosted members of the press, including writers for Europe’s most influential newspapers, on the Caria Route for an unforgettable travel experience. During the program, journalists from England, Ireland, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and France visited the ancient cities of Hekatomnos, Euromos, Stratonikeia, Lagina and Aphrodisias, beginning with Bodrum Castle and the Bodrum Underwater Museum. Guests visited several other museums along the Caria Route, as well as the vineyard houses featured in the program as part of local experiences, and also participated in pottery workshops. Journalists participating in the Caria Route hospitality also enjoyed the opportunity to sample distinctive dishes from the regional cuisine.

International Fairs and Events

Türkiye attracts great attention at ATM Dubai

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai, the largest tourism-related fair in the Middle East, was held in the United Arab Emirates between 1-4 May this year. Organized under the coordination of TGA and the Republic of Türkiye Dubai Culture and Promotion Coordinator, the capacious Türkiye stand featured 38 sector representatives. In an area of the stand dedicated to Turkish Cuisine, visitors were served Turkish coffee, tea and ice cream throughout the Fair. In addition, the stand had a photo area, where guests could be photographed against backdrops spotlighting different destinations in Türkiye; the photos were presented to visitors in print or digital media. Türkiye’s cycling routes and destinations were also introduced in a special section within the stand.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), which establishes and oversees global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, held its 2023 conference in Antalya from 9-12 May. This year’s conference was hosted by Türkiye, the first country in the world to collaborate with GSTC on tourism sustainability, and the Conference hosted 350 attendees from 51 nations around the world. TGA Deputy General Manager Dr. Elif Balcı Füsunoğlu, who participated in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) ‘World Economic Forum Country Readiness Dialogue’ panel during the conference, provided comprehensive information on Türkiye’s sustainable tourism policy and studies.

Velo-City 2023, one of Europe’s major cycling fairs, was held this year in Leipzig, Germany, between 9-12 May and was organised by the European Cyclists Federation (ECF). Visitors to the Türkiye exhibit at the expo were given information on the benefits of the Bicycle-Friendly Accommodation Facility Certificate, as well as Türkiye’s extraordinary bicycle routes. The EuroVelo & Bicycle Tourism Conference, which will be hosted in İzmir on October 11-13, 2023, was also announced and promoted at the Fair

Türkiye, along with Turkish Airlines, participated in the Expo Batumi Fair, which was held for the second time this year in Batumi, Georgia, from 19-21 May. The ‘Turkish Cuisine Week’ event, which took place on the first day of the exhibition and served dishes from the Hatay cuisine, drew great attention from guests. The Fair attracted a large number of tourists and tourism specialists who were provided with information by participants at the Turkish stand..

Now in its second edition, Turkish Cuisine Week, which promotes Türkiye’s rich gourmet culture with the Republic of Türkiye’s overseas ambassadors, took place this year between 21-27 May. This year’s events were themed ‘Ancient and Sustainable Turkish Cuisine’ and focused on the culinary traditions of Hatay, a City of Gastronomy in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The 21-27 May Turkish Cuisine Week was commemorated with numerous activities in Türkiye and abroad, with unique examples of Turkish Cuisine presented along with a special menu spotlighting Hatay’s local culinary specialities. In addition, an online cooking workshop was organised with influencers from Europe, the Far East and the Americas.

Between 23-25 May, the Türkiye Stand was a centre of attraction in Frankfurt, Germany, at this year’s IMEX Frankfurt Fair, one of Europe’s most prominent business events in the MICE sector. Coordinated by the TGA and the Republic of Türkiye Frankfurt Culture and Promotion Attaché, Türkiye’s stand hosted key meetings of Turkish Airlines, along with 25 industry professionals who participated in the stand as sub-participants. At the stand, visitors dined on dishes from the Hatay menu as part of the ‘Turkish Cuisine Week’ celebrations. Adding to the stand’s colourful atmosphere, the UEFA Champions League Final trophy was displayed – the final match will be played in İstanbul on 10 June 2023.

On 25 May, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and The Hotel Association of Türkiye (TÜROB) presented a special workshop and promotional event in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital. During the event, attended by 41 hotel representatives and around 200 tourism professionals from Türkiye, Azerbaijani tourist professionals were offered detailed information on Türkiye to reinforce the strong tourism relations between the countries. At the gala dinner following the training, guests were served the ‘Hatay Cuisine’ menu established for this year’s Turkish Cuisine Week

Provinces and Destination Promotion Activities

A total of 378 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, Yozgat, Çorum, Bingöl and Tunceli held third board meetings, while Karabük, Adana, Iğdır, Kayseri and Erzincan held fourth board meetings. Kastamonu and Bolu held their fifth, while Çankırı held its sixth and Nevşehir held its tenth board meeting. Within the scope of the Provincial Promotion and Development Program, with 13 meetings held in May, a total of 378 meetings have been held this year to date.