Here we analyze the situation of the tourism in Turkey, starting with a global vision of the services sector and the evolution it has experienced in recent years as well as some future preparation post Covid-19 outbreak globally. The place of tourism in the Turkish economy and the development of tourism are analyzed based on global economic indicators. The preferences of Far eastern and Lation American tourists traveling abroad are also indicated, with particular attention to long-distance travel. Turkey has a very long and attractive coastline, natural attractions like Cappadocia tour which is very popular even in Instagram nowadays, a unique history and archaeological sites like Ephesus tours, a suitable climate and a tradition of hospitality. With the improvement of tourism infrastructures, in recent decades Turkey tourism has been one of the major drivers of economic development, helping the country to solve the periods of greatest economic recession by reducing external debt and unemployment (providing employment to 2.6 million people in 2019). According to WTO (World Tourism Organization) statistics, Turkey was the 7th most visited country in 2019 and the 10th in relation to income received from tourism.

The Mediterranean region has the largest hotel capacity in the Turkey however the capacity of the Aegean region is developing rapidly with latest investments before Covid-19 outbreak and hoped to grow by %50-60 with the new investments in following years. Istanbul has the biggest capacity but big city life is not convenient for Golf tourism activities other than some small courses in suburbs of the city. 

In 2007 the Ministry of Tourism Turkey prepared a Road Map called Turkey Tourism Strategy 2023. This Road Map identifies the problems to be solved and pointsweak to improve, analyzes Turkey’s country image abroad, infrastructure capacity of each region and its tourism potential, the quality of services, legislation, etc. It was found that Turkey has great potential to offer tourists with very heterogeneous profiles such as: cultural, historical tours, religious, sports (mountaineering, rafting, diving, skiing, golf, etc.), cruises, beach, ecological, etc. that have been prioritized when carrying out their promotion given the difficulty of undertaking all them simultaneously.

Health Tourism:
Health tourism (spa, thermal and wellness) that reaches a volume of 30 billion USD worldwide it has considerable potential in Turkey that has not yet been exploited. Turkey is among the 10 preferred health travel destinations in this field around the world. For tourists interested in health tourism, the caves of salt and SPA facilities where in addition to traditional massages with organic products are offered directly brought from the field to the table will suppose an innovation and greater demand within this sector.

Cruise Ships:
With the increase in the supply of boats and ports for tourism and the reduction in prices there is a growing greater number of tourists who choose this alternative to combine Greece Turkey tours. It is estimated that the number of arrivals to the tourist ports of Istanbul(this will increase pretty much after new Galataport), Antalya, Kusadası and Izmir and the soon-to-open ports on the Sea Black. At the same time, it is an option that an increasing number of Turkish tourists are beginning to consider to travel to Greek Islands by cruises as well.

Turkey among the best options for golfers around the world with its progress in golf by hosting one of the most prestigious events in golf, the Fair of
Golf Tourism organized annually by International Golf Travel Market (IGTM). On every occasion of the event, taking place every year between November 14-17, attacts 350-400 tour operators, as well as many golfers to Belek of Antalya, the winner of the “Best Golf Destination in Europe” awarded in 2008. Turkey’s tourism infrastructure and golf courses are able to compete with the best in Europe, according to the Marketing Director of the fair, Mark Walsh, recalling that the last Turkey’s attempt to host the event, 6 years ago, had been rejected by IGTM. Golf tourism in the country generates 125 million euros of annual income. But in Turkey, however there is huge potential and lots of additional offers in different fields of tourism due to low marketing capability not very well known around the world.

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