Advertising and Digital Promotion Activities

Digital impressions in June totalled 917 million

The Turkaegean 2, Turkish Riviera, Cappadocia, and Black Sea commercials, along with İstanbul is the New Cool 3, were broadcast on TV in over 200 countries. In digital media, four spots were broadcast in more than 200 countries, collecting 917 million views.

Events and Organizations

TGA hosted 408 people in June

In 33 events organized across 20 cities in Türkiye, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) hosted 408 people from 37 countries, of whom 214 were tour operators, and 194 were press members, influencers, or opinion leaders. The highlights of the hospitality events and other organizations in June are listed below.

As part of a golf concept program, TGA hosted the editor of Travel Weekly, one of the most influential publications in the US travel industry. The journalist, who visited Antalya from 31 May to 3 June, learned about the opportunities Antalya provides golf professionals and enthusiasts, thanks to the province’s capacious, modern, world-class golf facilities. The journalist, who also received detailed information about Antalya’s golf facilities, played golf on various Antalya courses

TGA invited an international contingent of 18 journalists to Türkiye for CI Bloom, Contemporary İstanbul’s new art fair focusing on contemporary art in Türkiye. Journalists from the United States, Switzerland, Russia, Argentina, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, England, Lithuania, Austria, Greece and Denmark attended CI Bloom’s various exhibitions and events between 30 May and 3 June. During their visit to Türkiye, the guest journalists also visited several historical, touristic and cultural sites in İstanbul, including the Historical Peninsula, Galata Tower and the AKM, and shared various İstanbul experiences.

In collaboration with Turkish Airlines (THY) and the Middle Black Sea Development Agency, TGA hosted Saudi and Kuwaiti tour operators in Samsun and Amasya between 1-4 June as part of a special hospitality program. The 20-person group of senior tour operator officials visited numerous natural, historical, cultural and touristic points in Samsun and Amasya. In addition, as part of the hospitality program’s business development aspect, bilateral meetings with hotels and tourism agencies in Amasya, Samsun and the surrounding provinces were held.

This year, TGA hosted press members and influencers from around the world within the scope of the 51st İstanbul Music Festival, organized by İKSV. Guests from Germany, Greece, Israel and the UK were hosted between 2-6 June, while press members and influencers from Spain, Portugal, France, the United States, Ukraine and Canada participated between 13-17 June. During their time in İstanbul, the groups sampled the city’s history, culture, art and gastronomy. They shared their enthusiasm for the city’s offerings as well as the İstanbul Music Festival concerts by posting photos and videos via their social media accounts.

RTL 4, a prominent Dutch television channel, came to Türkiye to film the popular RonReizen travel show. Filming took place in İzmir and Aydın between 5-9 June, highlighting a variety of themes including sustainability, cycling routes, vineyards and vineyard routes, gourmet centres and Alaçatı beaches, in addition to natural, historical and touristic sites in both cities.

In collaboration with Jet2, the largest tour operator in the UK, TGA hosted journalists from the UK’s leading publications in Türkiye. Between 12-17 June, the group enjoyed a destination-oriented programme in Bodrum, one of the Aegean’s most prominent tourism regions. The journalists experienced the unique privileges of Bodrum across various themes such as culture-history, sea-sand-sun, nature and gastronomy.

Conde Nast Traveller, one of the world’s most esteemed travel publications, was hosted by TGA in Türkiye. Between 13-16 June, the Conde Nast team photographed fashion pieces for the magazine’s newest issues, shooting stunning images on Mount Nemrut, in Adıyaman; at Salt Lake and its surroundings, in Ankara; in Cappadocia and Ürgüp, in Nevşehir; and in the Sultan Marshes, in Kayseri. The team also recorded videos and took photos to use in various social media post

The journalist, who writes for major US publications, was hosted in İstanbul between 14-16 June as part of a special customized programme. He was treated to the many urban experiences İstanbul offers, particularly regarding history, culture-arts and gastronomy

In collaboration with Qatar Airways, TGA invited journalists from leading Qatari publications to Türkiye. During the special hosting programme in Trabzon between 16-20 June, the group visited important historical and touristic sites such as the Sümela Monastery, Gülbahar Hatun, the Fatih and Hagia Sophia Mosques, Saint Michael Church and the Uzungöl Museum

Route Hospitality

Foreign journalists show intense interest in the works of the great Mimar Sinan
TGA invited foreign journalists focusing on the hospitality industry to a special route dedicated to Mimar Sinan, the Ottoman-era master architect and designer of some of the country’s greatest structures. Between 19-22 June, journalists from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Uzbekistan took part in the Rota programme, touring Mimar Sinan’s works in İstanbul, Kırklareli and Edirne. Among the structures visited by the group were the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque and Madrasa, the Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Complex, the Selimiye and Üç Şerefeli Mosques, and the Kasım Paşa Complex.

Foreign journalists show intense interest in the works of the great Mimar Sinan
TGA invited journalists from around the world to Türkiye as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Route press-hosting programme. Between 12-16 June, a group of 11 journalists from Serbia, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Georgia visited important historical and touristic sites in Kayseri, Yozgat, Kırşehir and Nevşehir. Within the scope of the route, the group visited Kayseri Tower, Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Armenian Church, Gevher Nesibe Sultan Darüşşifası (Hospital) and the Kayseri Archaeology Museum, Yozgat Museum, Çapanolu Mosque, Ahi Evran Mosque, Cacabey Astronomy Madrasa and the Neşet Ertaş Culture House in Kırşehir. The guests also visited the Göreme Open Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle, Güvercin and Paşabağ Valleys and Kaymaklı Underground City in Nevşehir.

European journalists in İzmir and Denizli presented with a comprehensive ‘sustainable travel experience’
TGA hosted European journalists on a specially designed route centred on sustainable destinations and tourism. Press representatives from Belgium, Germany and Norway participated in the program, which took place between 13-17 June in İzmir and Denizli. The group stayed in sustainable certified hotels and visited regions known for their environmentally friendly practises. Bademler, Sığacık, Seferihisar, Urla, Birgi and the İzmir Culture and Art Factory were included on the sustainable experiences-related program, while Buldan, Pamukkale and various vineyard houses were part of the Denizli program. The THY Carbon Footprint Certificate was delivered digitally to the guests at the end of the program

Campaign Hospitality

European influencers share their Turkish Riviera experiences

As part of the Turkish Riviera campaign, TGA invited prominent social media influencers from Russia, Spain, France, Romania and Sweden to visit Türkiye. The guests experienced special destination experiences offered by Antalya within the scope of the programme, which was held in Antalya between 12-17 June. The group shared a range of content on the places they visited and their local experiences via their social media accounts.

TGA invited Europe’s most popular social media personalities to enjoy a program focused on İzmir’s cultural and gastronomic values and its touristic centres. Between 19-24 June, influencers from Switzerland, the Netherlands and France visited numerous important historical and touristic sites in and around İzmir as part of the programme, prepared as part of the Turkaegean campaign. The group enjoyed a gastronomic journey through Aegean cuisine and sampled delicious dishes, sharing photos and videos of their experiences in Türkiye via their social media accounts

International Fairs and Events

More than 160 participants from 30 countries in İstanbul for ICCA AC Forum

The “The Future of Healthcare Meetings” event, co-organized by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Associations & Conference (AC) Forum, was held in İstanbul from 6-8 June. Drawing 35 associations and over 160 participants from 30 countries, the event focused on the future of health sector meetings. Within the scope of the organization, special presentations were held to introduce participants to İstanbul’s congress centres, event venues, hotels and excursion routes

Effective country promotion activities were carried out in the context of the UEFA Champions League Final, which took place at Atatürk Olympic Stadium on 10 June 2023. Three flags with the UEFA Champions League Final 2023 İstanbul logo and the flags of the two finalist teams were hung on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. GoTürkiye campaign promotional films, finalist team logos and the UEFA Champions League Final 2023 İstanbul logo were projected on the Galata Tower. World-famous DJs entertained attendees at the Champions League Festival, which was held in the Yenikapı Event Area from 8-11 June. The festival’s main theme was İstanbul, but other Turkish destinations were also highlighted at the GoTürkiye booth, where visitors had hours of fun with activities ranging from karaoke to live music performances.

This year’s Taste of Place Summit, organised by the Culinary Tourism Alliance with UNWTO support, was held in Toronto, Canada between 27-28 June. The presentation, titled “Delicious Türkiye” and held on behalf of Türkiye within the scope of the Summit, provided information regarding gastronomy-themed route studies that highlight sustainable tourism. In addition, the Turkaegean Olive Route and the Black Sea Turkish Tea Route were introduced.

Provinces and Destination Promotion Activities

A total of 416 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, Yalova held its third board meeting, while Hakkari held its fourth board meeting. Tekirdağ and Mersin held their fifth board meetings, while Burdur and Erzurum held their sixth, and Isparta its seventh. Amasya held its eighth board meeting. Within the Provincial Promotion and Development Program scope, including 8 board meetings and the follow-up meetings held in June, a total of 416 meetings have been held this year to date