On December 27, 2024, Chinese tourists visited the ancient city of Aizanoi in Turkey’s Kütahya province. Turkey continues to draw the attention of Chinese tourists by promoting globally renowned destinations such as Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus, alongside lesser-known regions like the Black Sea coast. The Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, together with regional travel agencies, is carrying out extensive efforts to introduce new tourist destinations. Irfan Karsli, head of Ligarba Tourism Agency, stated that the Eastern Black Sea region is at the core of these efforts. The region stands out with its rich cuisine, Roman-era ruins, and natural beauty. “Our plans include organizing promotional trips specifically for Chinese travel agencies, focusing on the city of Trabzon in the Black Sea region,” Karsli emphasized, highlighting the steps to be taken for the area’s promotion.
Fatma Sahin, Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, showcased her city’s UNESCO-recognized gastronomy heritage at an event earlier this month. Bertan Öner, CEO of Hotelz, Turkey’s first online travel agency, remarked that the Chinese Generation Z is ushering in a new era of travel habits. Öner stated, “This generation is eager to experience the new destinations they see on social media.” In the first 11 months of 2024, Turkey hosted a total of 381,200 Chinese tourists, marking a 70.88% increase compared to the same period last year. Turkey’s comprehensive tourism strategy aims to reach Chinese tourists by promoting both its cultural heritage and new travel destinations.