Turkey is aiming to increase the number of cruise ships arriving at its ports to 2,000 annually by 2028, as part of efforts to strengthen its position as a leading Mediterranean cruise destination. According to Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, the country welcomed 1,375 cruise ships in 2025, with projections rising to 1,500 by 2026 and 1,750 in 2027, before reaching the 2,000 target the following year.
Cruise Tourism Gains Strategic Importance
Officials say cruise tourism is becoming an increasingly important part of Turkey’s broader tourism and transport strategy. Authorities are focusing on improving port infrastructure, enhancing service quality, and strengthening coordination across the sector to maximise the country’s tourism potential.
Uraloğlu highlighted that transportation and tourism play complementary roles in driving economic and social development, with coastal ports acting as key gateways for showcasing Turkey’s cultural and historical attractions to international visitors.
Key Ports Lead Cruise Activity
Turkey’s cruise traffic remains concentrated in several major destinations across the country, with Kuşadası, Istanbul, and Bodrum leading in both total number of ship arrivals and overall passenger numbers.
Kuşadası recorded the highest number of cruise ship visits, hosting 617 ships, followed by Istanbul with 265 ships and Bodrum with 116 ships. Passenger volumes mirrored this ranking, with Kuşadası welcoming nearly 1 million cruise passengers, while Istanbul and Bodrum recorded 625,517 and 138,166 passengers.
Shift from Stopover to Primary Destination
Officials say Turkey has evolved from being a stopover location into a primary destination within global cruise itineraries. Each cruise arrival contributes to local economies, generating spending across sectors such as hospitality, retail, dining, and cultural tourism. This supports regional economies while extending the benefits of tourism beyond peak seasons.
Turkey’s long-term goal is to establish itself as one of the most important cruise tourism hubs in the Mediterranean. With rising cruise traffic, infrastructure investment, and international demand, the cruise sector is expected to play a growing role in supporting tourism revenues and economic diversification.
Cameron Deggin 
Founder & CEO, Property Turkey
Cameron Deggin is Founder and CEO of Property Turkey. A former finance professional and FCCA-qualified accountant, he founded the company in 2001 after recognising Turkey’s investment potential. With more than two decades analysing Turkish real estate, Cameron regularly advises international investors and is quoted by media including the Financial Times and BBC.
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