Cruise Industry Experiences Unprecedented Growth

Türkiye’s cruise tourism sector is on track for an exceptional year in 2025, continuing its rapid upward trajectory:

• 490 cruise ships docked at Turkish ports during the first half of 2025, marking an 18% year-on-year increase.
• 732,302 passengers arrived between January and June, reflecting a 27.5% surge compared to the same period last year.
• Forecasts suggest Türkiye will host over 2 million cruise passengers by year-end, with some estimates reaching 2.5 to 3 million travelers.

Leading Ports and Passenger Statistics

• Kuşadası remains the nation’s leading cruise hub, handling more than half of all cruise traffic and expected to welcome over 800,000 passengers in 2025.
• Galataport İstanbul is rapidly growing, projecting 225 cruise ship calls and a 46% rise in passengers to around 585,000 this year.
• Regional ports such as Bodrum, Çeşme, and emerging Black Sea destinations (Sinop, Trabzon) are also seeing significant growth.

Key Growth Drivers

• Simplified visa procedures (especially for itineraries including the Greek islands) and rising hotel costs have boosted demand for cruise holidays.
• Growing interest in winter cruises from İstanbul and itinerary changes caused by geopolitical shifts.
• Major infrastructure upgrades across the country’s ports, including Kusadasi, Galataport İstanbul, Antalya, Izmir, and Black Sea terminals.

Economic Contribution

• In 2024, Türkiye’s cruise sector generated approximately $3 billion USD, and 2025 is set to deliver even greater returns.
• Cruise passengers spend an average of $200 per day, creating substantial economic activity and supporting thousands of jobs in hospitality, retail, and transportation sectors.

Future Outlook

With world-class port infrastructure, expanding international connectivity, and strong government backing, Türkiye is positioned to become one of the top cruise destinations in the Mediterranean and beyond—poised for a record-breaking 2025.