Türkiye Beckons: A Heritage-Rich Haven
How is the country leveraging its rich heritage to attract Indian travellers?
Sites like Cappadocia, with its surreal landscapes and ancient cave dwellings, and Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Roman cities, offer a journey through time. Through special heritage tours, UNESCO-listed site promotions, and collaborations with Indian travel agencies, we curate tailor-made experiences that resonate with Indian cultural interests. We are also organising targeted digital campaigns and print and TV adverts to reach out to our Indian visitors. Additionally, Türkiye's museums and archaeological wonders are increasingly integrating digital experiences.
With wellness tourism on the rise globally, how does Türkiye cater to wellness-seeking travellers?
Türkiye's wellness tourism is deeply rooted in its centuries-old hammam culture and natural thermal springs. Destinations like Pamukkale, Afyon, and Bursa offer world-renowned thermal spas. Many luxury resorts in Istanbul, Bodrum, and Antalya offer holistic spa treatments inspired by the Roman, Ottoman and Anatolian healing rituals. Recognising India's growing demand for wellness travel, Türkiye is also working to promote these offerings through dedicated wellness retreats, Ayurvedic fusion experiences, and collaborations with wellness influencers.
How is Türkiye positioning its gastronomy as a major attraction?
Turkish cuisine shares many similarities with Indian flavours. Street food favourites like simit, döner kebabs, and baklava are a hit with Indian tourists. At the same time, fine dining restaurants incorporate Indian-friendly vegetarian and halal options. Vegan food is a vital part of Turkish cuisine. We are probably the only country worldwide to have a specific olive oil dishes segment in our gastronomical heritage. This segment is almost 100 per cent veggies, and we take this part of our cuisine so seriously that we have vegan restaurants in our country with Michelin stars. Türkiye promotes food festivals, culinary workshops, and gastronomic trails that allow Indian Travellers to explore local flavours.
How is Türkiye promoting lesser-explored destinations?
Regions like the Black Sea, with its untouched landscapes and traditional villages, and Patara, a serene coastal gem, are actively promoted as eco-friendly travel destinations. Sustainable accommodations, responsible tourism initiatives, and nature-based experiences are being emphasised. Türkiye is also integrating green tourism into its promotional campaigns. Türkiye also conducts a government-level National Sustainability Program in tourism. Started in 2023, the program aims to transform the entire accommodations sector into a 100 per cent sustainable business model by 2030. Ran in cooperation with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the program has already reached its 2nd stage.
As direct flights and ease of travel influence destination choices, are there any new initiatives or partnerships to improve connectivity?
Improving air connectivity and simplifying travel processes remain a priority for Türkiye. Currently, there are direct flights from major Indian cities to Istanbul, with discussions ongoing to expand connectivity to other key cities. Türkiye has also streamlined its visa process for Indian travellers with an efficient e-visa system that allows easy entry.
Is there any roadmap to further promote film tourism or collaborate with Indian Cinema?
Türkiye has already gained popularity as a filming destination for Indian productions, thanks to its stunning locations and cost-effective production support. The country offers filmmakers a unique canvas with its diverse landscapes, historical backdrops, and modern infrastructure. We are working towards strengthening our collaboration with Indian cinema through location scouting assistance, tax incentives, and co-production opportunities. Additionally, dedicated film tourism campaigns are being launched to attract more Bollywood and South Indian film projects.
