Indian arrivals to Türkiye up 34.5%

Indian arrivals to Türkiye up 34.5% Wedding tourism in Türkiye has seen significant growth, with destinations like Istanbul, Bodrum and Cappadocia gaining popularity for luxury weddings, says Ismail Bütün, GM, Turkish Tourism Promotion & Development Agency (TGA).

Hazel Jain

What are the visitor numbers in Türkiye from India since COVID-19?

Since the pandemic, Türkiye has witnessed a remarkable recovery in its tourism sector, particularly from the Indian market. In 2022, Türkiye hosted 51.4 million international visitors, solidifying its position as the fourth most popular destination for tourists worldwide. Among these visitors, the number of Indian tourists has shown significant growth.

In 2023, Türkiye welcomed 274,000 Indians, reflecting the country’s ongoing appeal and strategic efforts to attract visitors from India. This upward trend has continued into 2024, with the first five months alone seeing an impressive 126,066 Indian visitors, marking a 34.55 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023. India is one of the most significant and promising source markets for Türkiye. With approximately 90 million passport holders, India represents a pivotal growth market for Türkiye.

What about the wedding segment from India?

Overall, Türkiye’s tourism market is substantial and continuously growing. The wedding tourism segment, in particular, has seen significant growth, with destinations like İstanbul, Bodrum, and Cappadocia gaining popularity for luxury weddings. With substantial investments in tourism infrastructure and efforts to promote the country as an ideal wedding destination, Türkiye is attracting more couples from around the globe.

Depending on the location, it can be romantic, adventurous, or cool. And yes, offbeat locations in Türkiye are also gaining popularity for Indian weddings. The response from weddings and family group events has been overwhelmingly positive. The wedding segment has significantly contributed to the tourism growth, especially in destinations like İstanbul, Bodrum, and Cappadocia. The luxurious venues and diverse landscapes of Türkiye align well with the grandeur of Indian weddings, enhancing cultural exchange and boosting local economies through increased spending on venues, accommodations, and related services. We are taking several initiatives to attract couples to destination weddings.

Tell us about the recent educational trip you organised for OTOAI members to Türkiye.

The idea behind organising the OTOAI Fam tour was to showcase  the diverse attractions of Türkiye to Indian travel agents. This initiative involved 40 OTOAI members from across India, representing various regions and tourism interests. The collaboration between the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGATurkish Tourism Board) and the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) underscored a mutual commitment to fostering tourism partnerships and facilitating meaningful exchanges within the travel industry. Through this endeavour, we strengthened the ties between India and Türkiye.

‘All in Türkiye’ for travel agents

TGA offers online courses covering many topics, from Türkiye’s history and culture to nature and tourist opportunities with a programme called ‘All in Türkiye’. Any agent can receive useful information about our destinations and tourism products. Those who finish the training can also obtain a Turkish Tourism Specialist Certificate. More details on this are available at: https://allinturkiye.com/