Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy evaluated the expectations for the British market, preparations for the 2027 season, and efforts to increase product and market diversity in tourism at the WTM London Tourism Fair held in London.
Ersoy, who came together with members of the press in front of the Türkiye stand, made statements on different topics, from congress and event tourism to gastronomy, from the return of cultural assets to tourism activities in the earthquake zone.
Giving information about Turkey's participation in the fair, Ersoy said:
"We see WTM London as an important platform where we bring Turkey's tourism wealth together with international sector representatives and evaluate the preparations for the next season. This year, we are taking part in the fair with our 909 square meter main stand, 255 square meter destination area and 50 square meter sports tourism area, with 78 sub-participants. We brought together our different destinations and tourism products, from Cappadocia's unique natural and cultural heritage to gastronomy, from sports tourism to cultural tourism, under the same roof. Here We have virtually created an island of Türkiye. Together with our sector, we strongly represent the richness and diversity of our country in tourism in the international arena.”
TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND LAST-MINUTE BOOKINGS FEATURED IN 2027 PLANNING
Stating that England is Turkey's third largest source market after Russia and Germany, Ersoy said that they expect the UK market to continue its strong performance.
Pointing out the impact of the wars in the region on energy prices and transportation costs, Ersoy explained that cost increases were not fully reflected in the tickets at the first stage due to the annual fuel price fixing in the aviation industry. He stated that they expect rising oil prices to have a more significant impact on flight ticket prices in 2027 after these periods end.
Ersoy stated that they foresee an average additional burden of $100 per ticket for flights of three hours or more.
Stating that they are conducting intensive negotiations with tour operators in many countries, Ersoy pointed out that we may enter a period in which the share of early bookings decreases and the weight of last-minute reservations increases. Emphasizing that they will follow a promotion and sales strategy in line with this table, Ersoy noted that they will continue their uninterrupted promotion and sales campaigns with tour operators, airline companies and travel platforms throughout the year.
RECOVERY IN THE THIRD QUARTER BROUGHT THE REVENUE RECORD
Evaluating the third quarter and first nine-month results in tourism, Minister Ersoy reminded that the war that started at the end of February had a negative impact on the second quarter.
Stating that when the second quarter results were announced, they shared their expectations that the most difficult period was over and that a recovery would be achieved in the third quarter with intensive promotional campaigns, Ersoy said that the results confirmed this prediction.
Stating that Turkey's third quarter tourism revenue increased by 5 percent and reached 25 billion 526 million dollars, Ersoy emphasized that this is the highest quarterly tourism revenue ever obtained.
Stating that the negative impact in the second quarter was compensated, Ersoy stated that the tourism income in the first nine months increased by 2.4 percent to 51 billion 278 million dollars, and that 49 million 132 thousand visitors were hosted in Turkey in the same period.
Stating that Turkey managed the process successfully despite the wars and geopolitical risks in the region, Ersoy made the following assessment:
"We maintain our position as an island of stability in the middle of the ring of fire with our foreign policy, which we have implemented under the leadership of our President. Hopefully, we will continue to manage the process in this way."
CITY AND CULTURAL TOURISM IS GETTING STRONGER IN THE UK MARKET
Stating that England is among the countries with the most intense promotion, Ersoy said that they use all communication methods, from television channels to digital platforms, from social media to programs where opinion leaders are hosted in Turkey.
He stated that they support these efforts with direct sales-oriented promotions carried out with tour operators, airline companies and travel portals.
Pointing out that British visitors prefer Turkey's holiday regions not only in the summer months, but also in the low season and winter, Ersoy stated that this feature makes the British market important in terms of spreading tourism throughout the year.
Stating that they have made intensive promotions of Istanbul in the UK in recent years, Ersoy noted that there has been a significant increase in the number of visitors coming to Istanbul from the UK.
Emphasizing that this approach is part of the strategy to spread tourism to 81 provinces, Ersoy stated that they did not limit their work in the British market to coastal destinations, but diversified it with city and cultural tourism.
“WE HAVE BEEN ON THE MARKET WITH MORE THAN 60 PRODUCTS”
Stating that Turkey has changed its strategy in tourism since 2018, Minister Ersoy said that the concept of tourism, which in the past stood out mainly with sea, sand, sun and archeology, has reached a much wider product variety.
Ersoy said, “We are now on the market with more than 60 products.” He stated that this diversity is promoted intensively through GoTürkiye.
Stating that they carry out promotional campaigns on the basis of both destination and product, Ersoy noted that gastronomy has an important place in this approach. He said that the arrival of the Michelin Guide to Turkey and highlighting the unique products of the destinations contributed to gastronomy tourism.
Explaining that they gave a special place to gastronomy within the scope of Culture Road Festivals, Ersoy stated that they ensured that the forgotten local recipes of the cities were included in the menus and that they created "Taste Points".
EVENT TOURISM FROM FORMULA 1 TO GREAT SUMMITS
Stating that they added event tourism to their product diversification efforts, Ersoy pointed out the importance of international football organizations, concerts and large-scale events in this field, as well as the return of Formula 1 to Turkey by 2027.
Stating that Turkey's capacity to host international summits has also improved, Ersoy said that organizations such as NATO and COP31 to be held in Antalya demonstrate this capacity.
MICE UNIT IS BEING CREATED WITHIN TGA
Explaining their new work on congress and meeting tourism, Ersoy stated that they have created a unit within TGA for the MICE field, which includes meetings, incentive travel, congress and fair organizations.
Stating that they aim to make bids not only for interstate congresses but also for large organizations of international companies in the next period, Ersoy said that Lütfi Kırdar Congress Center and the area where COP31 will be held will play an important role in this process.
Describing the process of Lütfi Kırdar's transfer to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the transfer of the COP31 area to the Ministry within a few months after the event, Ersoy stated that they will work to bring the organizations of global companies to Turkey with these two areas.
Ersoy noted that Turkey, as a country, will begin to submit proposals for events of this scale and that they aim to host international organizations more intensively.
The goal in gastronomy is to transform cities into international centers of attraction.
Answering the question about the presence of Turkish gastronomy brands in the London market, Minister Ersoy said that this development is important for the promotion of Turkey's products.
Pointing out that having qualified gastronomy products and being a gastronomy city are different concepts, Ersoy stated that cities where international cuisines are presented correctly and this knowledge is supported with events can become strong gastronomy centers.
Emphasizing that their priority for Türkiye is for cities to reach this quality, Ersoy stated that they have made significant investments in Istanbul in this direction and have received results. Stating that Istanbul has become one of the world's leading gastronomy cities, Ersoy noted that the results obtained provide motivation for new studies.
COOPERATION WITH 14 COUNTRIES IN THE RETURN OF CULTURAL ASSETS
Making evaluations regarding the return of 100 cultural assets from the USA to Turkey, Ersoy said that identifying the works smuggled abroad and returning them to the country as soon as possible are among the issues they are most sensitive about.
Stating that they have strengthened the institutional capacity in the fight against smuggling in the last eight years, Ersoy explained that they started to work with a larger staff by raising the relevant structure to the level of department head.
Stating that they signed bilateral protocols with 14 countries, including the USA, Ersoy emphasized that these cooperations had a positive impact on the extradition processes. Ersoy said that processes that took eight to nine years in the past can now be completed in seven to eight months.
Stating that there was an intense international effort behind the extraditions, to which many institutions and experts contributed, Ersoy drew attention to the cooperation with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the US Homeland Security Investigations Unit (HSI).
Explaining that excavation records, testimonies and scientific research are decisive in proving the origin of the artifacts and the abduction processes, Ersoy stated that Turkey has gained significant expertise in this field and that other countries also receive consultancy from Turkey.
“ILLEGAL GOODS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS DEFECTIVE GOODS”
Pointing out the importance of changing the international understanding in preventing the smuggling of cultural assets, Ersoy emphasized that the demand for smuggled artifacts should be eliminated.
Ersoy said, "This should now be accepted in the world. In other words, it should be accepted as smuggled goods, defective goods. It should be excluded by everyone." he said.
Stating that the widespread use of this approach will prevent illegal works from finding buyers and will deter illegal excavations, Ersoy said that the 100 cultural assets brought from the USA are very valuable works. Stating that the works are exhibited in Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Ersoy invited visitors to see these cultural assets.
TRANSPORTATION CAPACITY IS INCREASING IN DISTANT MARKETS
Answering the question about new market targets for 2027, Ersoy stated that they have focused on increasing source market diversity for the last eight years.
Emphasizing that the diversification of source markets strengthens the resilience of the tourism sector against crises, Ersoy said that they prioritize distant markets while maintaining their strong position in nearby markets.
Referring to the studies for the USA, Canada and China, Ersoy stated that the decisions to increase mutual flight opportunities with Canada and the capacity increase in the Chinese market are important in this respect.
Ersoy stated that following the decision to increase the capacity from 21 to 49 in China, additional flight opportunities started to come into play as of September, and said that they expect this development to support the growth in the market in the coming period.
Stating that they work closely with Turkish Airlines, Ersoy noted that the deliveries of long-range aircraft will strengthen access to distant markets. Referring to the plans for long-distance flight destinations such as New Zealand, Ersoy stated that they aim to expand the transportation network, especially to distant markets.
“THE EARTHQUAKE ZONE IS ONE OF OUR PRIORITY POINTS”
Minister Ersoy, responding to a press member who thanked Kahramanmaraş for his cultural and tourism activities, emphasized that the earthquake region will continue to be among his priorities.
Pointing out the importance of revitalizing trade and economy as well as restoring cities, Ersoy stated that tourism is an important contribution area in this process and said, "We will do our part with the greatest sacrifice." he said.
