Minister Ersoy: “We Will Make Istanbul the Capital of Global Tourism”
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy met with representatives of Istanbul’s tourism sector to share insights on the city’s cultural and tourism vision.
Grounded Decisions, Resilient Sector
Highlighting the importance of field-based insights through the “Turkey Meetings” initiative, Ersoy emphasized that since taking office, they’ve focused on making the tourism sector resilient to crises. “We never made decisions detached from reality. We always consulted with industry stakeholders. Thanks to this approach, Turkish tourism now shines like a star on the global stage,” he said.
13.5 Million Tourists in Nine Months
Ersoy revealed that Istanbul welcomed 13.5 million tourists in the first nine months of 2025—surpassing Turkey’s total tourist count in 2002. This marks a 1% increase compared to the previous year. “Despite regional conflicts and crises, we’ve achieved this success,” he noted.
Historic Surge in Cruise Tourism
The Minister stated that cruise tourism saw a historic rise between January and August 2025, with approximately 1.5 million passengers arriving at 18 cruise ports—setting a 12-year record.
Global Success in Promotion
Ersoy reminded that Istanbul became the first Turkish city to be included in the Michelin Guide in 2022. He emphasized Turkey’s leadership in global tourism promotion, noting that campaigns tailored for Istanbul were even aired during the U.S. presidential election season. The mini-series Istanbul My Love reached tens of millions of viewers worldwide.
Culture Route Festivals and Events
This year, Istanbul will host around 730 events across 110 venues under 180 themes as part of the Türkiye Culture Route Festivals. Ersoy stressed that integrating culture and art into tourism has significantly boosted Istanbul’s brand value.
Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci to Become Cultural Hubs
Providing updates on restoration efforts at Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci train stations, Ersoy said both historic sites will serve transportation and cultural purposes. Sirkeci will feature a Migration Museum, thematic exhibitions, and art galleries, while Haydarpaşa will house performance spaces, a library, museums, and workshops.
Additionally, Istanbul’s first archaeology museum on the Asian side will open in Haydarpaşa, showcasing artifacts unearthed since 2018. The area will also be transformed into an “Arkeopark,” offering visitors a journey through millennia of history.
“Istanbul Is a Starting Point, Not a Stopover”
Ersoy concluded by emphasizing that Istanbul should be seen not as a stopover, but as a central departure point in global tourism. “We must unite around this vision and share it with the world,” he said, adding that their efforts align with the new tourism strategy developed under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
