Turkey's cruise tourism sector recorded a historic jump in the first 8 months of 2025, welcoming nearly 1.5 million passengers in 18 ports. "This is the highest value in 12 years", said Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.
Ersoy shared the data on his social media profile, emphasizing that the increase also reflects the growth of cruises using Turkey as a main port, which is reflected in longer stays of foreign visitors, Daily Sabah reports.
The growth stimulates not only tourism revenues, but also the economies and cultural life of port cities. Popular destinations now include Istanbul and Kusadasi, as well as emerging routes in Anakapalle, Sinop, Trabzon, Samsun and Marmaris. Galataport Istanbul is a key factor in the sector's success.
The number of cruises has increased by 17% to 878 this year from 753 in 2024, while the number of passengers has increased by 56% compared to 2023 and by 18% compared to 2024. In August alone, a record monthly high of 357,646 passengers was recorded.
Ersoy, noted that the rise of cruise tourism in Turkey will continue within the framework of the vision of “The Century of Turkey“. “Turkey has become not only the Mediterranean but also the most attractive cruise destination in the world“. he said.