2.5M tourists attracted to Cappadocia in only 8 months

2.5 million foreigners have been flocking to Cappadocia, a stunning picturesque region of Turkey, in the first eight months of 2022. Official figures show this has broken all-time records for the region.

Visiting the charming hub of tourism were 2.54 million Turkish and international people who flocked to the area to see the region famed for the underground cities, hot air balloon rides, distinctive fairy chimneys scattered across rooftops, and the cave hotels.

Compared to January to August of 2021, the number of tourists have soared up by 98%, nearly doubling.

New boom for Cappadocia’s markets

An official from the Turkish Travel Agencies Association, said that increased tourists density had been seen from accommodation facilities to the companies organising activities like hot air balloon rides, from agencies to other touristic components.

The expert continued that they are expecting 2023 and 2024 to be even busier, stressing the productive tourism season they had seen in 2022. This is due in part to the expanding range in the market.

He said: “We saw 2019 as a year of records, and we had expected more visitors in 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic affected Cappadocia as well as the whole world. The year 2022 brought a smile to the face of tourism professionals.” He added that Cappadocia has been home to many different civilisations and is one of the most unique regions in the world.

Located in Neveshir province in Central Anatolia, the region of Cappadocia has been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985.

COVID-19 and the future of the region

A local tourist agency owner, said that after the previous two years of COVID-19 measures, there had been a huge leap in recent times in the number of people travelling, and that Cappadocia is in great demand.

He continued to say: "We surpassed the golden year of 2019 (in tourist numbers), which we targeted after the pandemic. Reservations are very good at the moment. This busy period will continue until early November.”