04 January 2023
New vibrant space in Istanbul for international talent startups The Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), with full support from the Investment Office within the Presidency of Turkey, announced that it was officially launching its International Incubation Center. The headquarters for this new Center will be headquartered from the Turkish metropolitan area of Istanbul.04 January 2023
Foreign arrivals in Turkey jumps 38% Official data has shown that the number of foreign visitors arriving to Turkey has increased from the year previous by 38.4% in October. This shows a sustained recovery. In October alone, around 4.8 million tourists arrived in the country, according to the Culture and Tourism Ministry. This is compared to the 3.47 million which arrived in October 2021.01 January 2023
Visa-free travel proposed between Turkey and India Tourism has increased between India and Turkey, and there is still plenty of potential for growth across tourism and other sectors. This is according to a top Indian expert speaking on the travel and tourism sectors. Jyoti Mayal, said that the two countries, India and Turkey should develop a way of promoting tourism through visa-free travel.01 January 2023
Influx in Istanbul tourism helps to wash away COVID Venues across Istanbul have continued to be swarming with holidaymakers from abroad, with the influx of visitors helping to wash away any traces from the COVID-19 pandemic effect. This has been driven by arrivals flooding in from Russia, with the number of foreigners flocking to the city of Istanbul in October alone, jumping 37% to 1.58 million year-on-year.01 January 2023
Plans for Ankara to Istanbul train in 80 minutes The new High-Speed Train (YHT) that is currently running between Istanbul and Ankara has a maximum speed of 250kph (155mph), but this will increase to 350kph with the new improved line – making it faster than air travel. The journey between the two major cities currently takes around 5 hours, but this will be reduced to just 80 minutes with the new line.29 November 2022
In 9 months, Turkish start-ups take nearly $1.5B Between January and September of 2022, a number of Turkish start-ups have continued to secure investors’ backing that has enabled them to raise $1.49 billion. Within the first nine months, data from the industry has shown that the Turkish start-up ecosystem has managed to attain record numbers of VC.29 November 2022
As European prices soar, tourists flood to Turkey Cem Polatoglu, spokesperson for the Travel Operators’ Association said that: “This winter we expect more tourists than in previous years. During the pandemic, people could not go on holiday for a long time. Now that travel restrictions have been lifted, many tourists will feel as though they have ‘broken free from chains.”29 November 2022
160 million passengers at Istanbul Airport in four years Istanbul Airport, Turkey’s biggest airport and one of the largest in the world, has now served more than 160 million passengers following its opening four years ago, according to the Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Adil Karaismailoglu.29 November 2022
7 new ferry lines between Asia and Europe in Istanbul More ferries have landed in the waters of the Marmara Sea and Bosphorus, as the city of Istanbul has expanded its transportation network on water. An additional seven brand-new ferry lines have started operating, carrying passengers between the European side of Istanbul and the Asian side; they will carry more than 15 million people.23 November 2022
Istanbul’s arrivals increase thanks to Russians holidaying Recent data released has shown that foreign visitors are continuing to flock to the biggest metropolis in Turkey, Istanbul. Russians have been the major drivers in the rebound of the tourism industry, which has helped to exceed figures previous to the pandemic of COVID-19.23 November 2022
Tourism income up 27.1% between July and September In the third quarter of this year, the tourism income in Turkey grew by an impressive 27.1% when compared to the same quarter a year ago, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat). Compared to last year, when a total income of 14.1 billion USD from tourism was generated, this year’s July to September quarter produced 18 billion USD in income.02 November 2022
Introduction of special travel passes for Istanbul The transportation pass, Istanbulkart, in Turkey’s most populous city Istanbul has devised special plans and alternatives for travellers visiting from abroad. Tourists visiting the metropolis can buy an Istanbul City Card for any and all of their transportation options starting from October.