Advertising and Digital Promotion Activities

Digital impressions in April totaled two billion

The TurkAegean 2, Turkish Riviera and Cappadocia commercials, along with the İstanbul is the New Cool campaign’s “Shopping in İstanbul is the New Cool” and “Taste in İstanbul is the New Cool” were broadcast on TV in more than 200 countries. In digital media, eight spots were broadcast across more than 200 countries, collecting two billion views.

Events and Organizations

TGA hosted 731 people in April

In 37 events organized across 13 cities in Türkiye, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) hosted 731 people from 32 countries, of whom 532 were tour operators, and 199 were press members, influencers, or opinion leaders. The highlights of hospitality events and other organizations in April are listed below.

Steffi Marth, the five-time national BMX and 4X champion and bronze medal winner in the 4X World Champs visited Türkiye with her film crew. Hosted in Cappadocia between 31 March and 4 April, the German mountain biker and her team showcased mountain bike routes in Türkiye.

TGA hosted Greg Sullivan, CEO of US travel media group AFAR, in Türkiye. Featuring quality and inspirational storytelling, AFAR is followed by a significant readership. Sullivan visited many natural, historical and touristic sites in İstanbul, İzmir and Cappadocia between 1-7 April, participating in various activities and enjoying some of the best dishes in Turkish cuisine.

Writers from Gardens by The Bay, one of Singapore’s leading landscape design magazines, visited Türkiye at the invitation of TGA between 3-7 April as part of the 16th İstanbul Tulip Festival. During their stay, the journalists toured the colorful tulip gardens of İstanbul. Also hosted in Nevşehir during their travels in Türkiye with a special program, the writers left Türkiye with indelible memories of nature, culture, history and gastronomy.

TGA hosted the crew of Estonia’s famous documentary program “Far From Here” for a special shooting in Türkiye. Filming in Nevşehir and Cappadocia between 3-9 April, the team presented many experiences specific to the region – from nature to culture and history to gastronomy – in the relevant episodes.

Robin McKelvie, the renowned British travel writer, was hosted in Türkiye along with his family as part of a special program. McKelvie typically focuses on travel experiences for families with children. Visiting İstanbul and Antalya for his most recent article, the writer and his family enjoyed family-friendly travel alternatives in Türkiye between 8-16 April.

TGA invited influential Chinese social media figures to enjoy a program spotlighting the cultural and gastronomic values of İstanbul and Cappadocia. Visiting Türkiye between 9-15 April, the group enjoyed a number of local experiences in İstanbul and Cappadocia, including touring historical and cultural sites and sampling the delicious dishes of Anatolian cuisine. Influencers shared their photos and videos with followers via their social media accounts.

As part of the TurkAegean campaign, which draws attention to Türkiye’s Aegean coast, TGA invited journalists from Eastern Europe to visit Türkiye between 10-14 April. Hailing from Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece, the group attended a press trip held to promote the olives and olive oils of Çanakkale and Balıkesir. During their stay, the guest journalists sampled the delicious olives and olive oils of the Aegean along the olive route of Çanakkale and Balıkesir. They also toured many historical and touristic points in both cities.

Japanese influencers showcase İstanbul and Cappadocia in photos
Influential social media figures from Japan were hosted by TGA between 10-14 April in Nevşehir and İstanbul. Within the scope of the program, designed to highlight the cultural richness and gastronomic values of both cities, the influencers toured numerous sites, while enjoying Turkish cuisine. They shared beautiful photos of their experiences in Türkiye via their social media accounts.

Famous Latin American presenter Alix Aspe tours Türkiye’s honeymoon destinations
Alix Aspe, the host of Latin America’s Emmy-winning Telemundo TV show “La Mesa Caliente”, visited Türkiye between 10-17 April with her husband. The recently wedded couple spent their honeymoon in İstanbul, Bodrum and Cappadocia, among Türkiye’s most beautiful honeymoon destinations. Aspe, who has a large fan and follower base on social media as well as onscreen, shared her honeymoon experience in Türkiye with the posts via her social media accounts.

TGA hosted twelve VIP tour operators in İstanbul within the scope of the Eastern Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Fair (EMITT). Tour operator officials attending the Fair from the UK, India, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Hungary, Uzbekistan and Spain received detailed information about Türkiye during the Fair and conducted one-on-one meetings with provincial directorates.

Muğla hosts British journalists
As part of the cooperation with Jet2Holidays, the second largest tourism company in the UK, British journalists were hosted in Muğla between 12-16 April. The group visited historical, natural and cultural areas around Muğla, one of the Aegean’s leading tourism regions, and explored the city with its many different aspects.

Swiss journalists on a tour to discover İzmir, the pearl of the Aegean
TGA invited journalists from leading Swiss newspapers to İzmir, the pearl of the Aegean, as part of the İzmir TurkAegean route. The journalists, hosted in Türkiye between 14-17 April, visited Alaçatı, Urla and Çeşme, some of the region’s most popular and striking districts, within the scope of the program; they also visited İzmir. The guests returned to their countries following an authentic TurkAegean experience encompassing sea, nature, food and history.

Travel + Leisure Travel Advisory Board members experience Türkiye in every aspect
Twenty-five members of the Travel Advisory Board of Travel + Leisure visited Türkiye between 13-19 April. Travel + Leisure is one of the most-followed travel publications in the world and its Travel Advisory Board manages more than 8,000 travel consultants worldwide. The Board members, who were in Turkey to assess current travel trends and preferences, were hosted in Istanbul, Muğla and Izmir with a dedicated program. The event highlighted luxury tourism experiences in Türkiye as well as the country’s historical and cultural riches. In this context, the group visited the Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar in İstanbul; the Virgin Mary Church and Ephesus Ancient City in İzmir; and the Ancient City of Stratonikeia and the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum and Bodrum Castle in Bodrum.

Elle magazine showcases Antalya’s wonderful nature and unique beaches.
Launched in 2022, TGA’s cooperation with the German edition of Elle continues this year. One of the most famous and closely followed magazines in the world, Elle Germany sent a nine-person crew to shoot in different areas of Aspendos, as well as in the Kurşunlu Nature Park, the Karain Cave and on Antalya’s stunning beaches between 15-20 April.

Antalya hosts British journalists at historical and cultural venues
TGA hosted British journalists in Antalya, Türkiye on 18 and 19 April. Visiting various regions in Damlataş Cave, Dim Creek, Manavgat and Side, the group was hosted within the scope of a program highlighting the natural, historical and cultural riches of Antalya.

Rami Library hosts Indian writer Swarup

İstanbul Rami Library, which opened its doors at the beginning of this year, continues to host world-renowned writers. Vikas Swarup, from India, is the author of Slumdog Millionaire; the book was made into a film that won eight Oscar awards. Swarup met with Turkish readers at the Rami Library during a book signing and interview event on 25 April. While in İstanbul, Swarup also visited historical and touristic sites such as the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar.

European journalists and opinion leaders in İstanbul for the World Choral Music Symposium

TGA hosted members of the press and opinion leaders from Europe’s major publications for the World Choral Music Symposium, held for the first time in İstanbul. Guests from Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and the Netherlands visited the Historical Peninsula, Beyoğlu’s İstiklal Street and the Rami Library, enjoying the historical and cultural texture of İstanbul up close. The guests also attended different concerts within the scope of the Choir Symposium, enjoying music and art amid the historical places of İstanbul.

Journalists from Turkic Republics in İstanbul for Teknofest

Members of the press from the Turkic Republics were invited to Türkiye within the scope of the Teknofest Aviation, Space and Technology Festival. Hosted in İstanbul between 26-30 April, the invited journalists participated in many events held at Atatürk Airport within the scope of the festival and also toured historical and cultural sites in İstanbul.

Route Hospitality

İstanbul and Bursa were the focus routes of Ramadan

TGA hosted approximately 20 journalists from around the world on a Faith and Culture Route created specifically for the month of Ramadan. From 28 March to 1 April, a group of journalists from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan visited the historical and cultural sites of İstanbul and Bursa on the Ramadan Route; from 10 to 14 April, journalists from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Malaysia were hosted on the same route, which was prepared with a theme focused on faith and culture. The guests visited the Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Çamlıca and Taksim Mosques, and the Rami Library and Atatürk Cultural Centre in İstanbul; and the Ulu Mosque and the historical Koza Han in Bursa

US writer Yulia Denisyuk, who writes for publications such as National Geographic and Thrillist, visited Türkiye at the invitation of TGA. Denisyuk, who was hosted in Muğla and Antalya between 9-16 April with a program focused on hiking, experienced areas along the Lycian Way Route that are among the most suitable for nature walks.

TGA hosted press members and influencer groups from Europe on the Historical Palaces Route, created with the themes of history and culture. Between 25-29 April, journalists from Germany, Austria, Serbia, Hungary, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with influential social media figures from France and Spain, toured the historical palaces of İstanbul. Within the scope of the route, the groups visited the Topkapı, Beylerbeyi and Dolmabahçe Palaces, and the Aynalıkavak, Mecidiye and Küçüksu Pavilions. The guests, who also visited the Palaces Collection Museum and the Beykoz Glass Museum, attended a glass workshop and learned how to make glassware from glass masters.

International Fairs and Events

Visitors flock to the Türkiye booth at EMITT 2023

A ‘ Sustainable Destination Management Panel’ was held with the support of TGA at EMITT 2023, held at the İstanbul TÜYAP Expo Center between 12-15 April. Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Chairman Luigi Cabrini participated as a panel member. Additionally, TGA Deputy General Manager Elif Balcı Füsunoğlu made a presentation titled “Sustainable Destination Management: Transformation of the Tourism Sector and Destinations.

TGA presents Sustainable Destination Management at EMITT 2023

A ‘ Sustainable Destination Management Panel’ was held with the support of TGA at EMITT 2023, held at the İstanbul TÜYAP Expo Center between 12-15 April. Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Chairman Luigi Cabrini participated as a panel member. Additionally, TGA Deputy General Manager Elif Balcı Füsunoğlu made a presentation titled “Sustainable Destination Management: Transformation of the Tourism Sector and Destinations.

m&i Europe Spring Forum hosts MICE industry professionals in TürkiyeThe m&i Europe Spring Forum event, attended by leading names in the European MICE sector, was held in İstanbul between 16-19 April. More than 500 MICE sector professionals took part in the event, which featured one-on-one and networking meetings. In addition, detailed information was provided regarding Türkiye’s expertise and privileges, especially in the MICE field.

Türkiye’s cycling routes receive accolades at Fiera Del Cicloturismo Bicycle Tourism Fair

The Fiera Del Cicloturismo Bicycle Tourism Fair, a prominent platform attracting the leading representatives of bicycle tourism, was held in Bologna, Italy on 1-2 April this year and drew more than 19,000 visitors in two days. At the Fair’s Bike Italia Talks event, TGA conducted a presentation titled ‘EuroVelo 8 İzmir Route & Euro Velo and Bicycle Tourism Conference’. The presentation spotlighted bicycle routes in Türkiye created within different disciplines, as well as bicycle-friendly accommodation facility certificate privileges, and the studies carried out to develop and promote Türkiye’s bicycle tourism. Additionally, during the Bike Italia Talks events, an Italian couple who had ridden Turkish bicycle routes shared their experiences in Türkiye with the audience.

Turkish coffee makes an impact at the Helsinki Coffee Festival

The Helsinki Coffee Festival, the largest coffee festival in Northern Europe, welcomed guests to Finland between 21–23 April. At the Helsinki Coffee Festival, the seventh edition of which was held this year, Türkiye welcomed Festival attendees with Turkish coffee, whose fame has spread around the world. Turkish Coffee Culture and Tradition and Tea Culture, which stand out as two important values of Türkiye in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, attracted great attention from visitors.

The destination wedding sector meets in IADWP Workshop and Conference

The International Association of Destination Wedding Professionals Workshop and Conference (IADWP) took place in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus between 17-20 April. At the event, which was held with the participation of leading wedding organizers in the destination wedding sector, detailed information was provided regarding Turkey’s expertise in destination weddings; one-on-one meetings were also held with the participants.

Provinces and Destination Promotion Activities

A total of 365 meetings held to date

Within the scope of the Provincial Promotion and Development Program, which aims to promote the provinces and sub-destinations more effectively in the national and international arena, Ordu, Tekirdağ, Kırklareli, Artvin, Rize and Sinop held their fourth board meetings. Bursa held its fifth meeting, while Düzce, Ankara, Gümüşhane each held sixth board meetings. Edirne, Antalya and İzmir held their eighth meetings. Within the scope of the Provincial Promotion and Development Program, a total of 365 meetings took place including April.

Within the scope of a program themed ‘Three Religions, Three Holidays in Mardin’, Türkiye’s leading travel and gastronomy influencers were hosted in Mardin between 16-19 April with a dedicated program. In Mardin, which has hosted different civilizations and religions throughout history, the group toured the unique nature of Mardin and visited the city’s historical sacred sites. Also provided with detailed information on the elements of Mardin’s cuisine, the influencers shared their touring and dining experiences via their social media accounts.