Advertising and Digital Promotion Activities

Digital impressions in November totalled 2 billion

Turkish Riviera 2, Coming Soon, Naturally Türkiye and the İstanbul is the New Cool campaign’s “Shopping in İstanbul is the New Cool”, “Taste in İstanbul is the New Cool”, and “Art in İstanbul is the New Cool” were broadcast on TV in more than 200 countries. In digital media, 11 commercials were broadcast across more than 200 countries, reaching 2 billion views.

Events and Organizations

TGA hosted 1,693 people in November

In 72 events organized across 44 cities in Türkiye, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) hosted 1,693 people from 57 countries, of whom 367 were press members and influencers, and 1,326 opinion leaders and tour operators. The highlights of November’s hospitality events and other organizations are listed below:

Upon the invitation of TGA, 29 press members from England, Ireland, Austria, Poland, Italy, Portugal, Macedonia, Romania, Belgium, USA, Germany, Spain and France came to Türkiye. Members of the press, in separate groups, visited the natural, historical and cultural sites of Elazığ, Malatya and Adıyaman as part of the ‘UNESCO World Heritage Route in Anatolia’ hosting program between 1-5, 8-12 and 10-15 November.

TGA hosted a group of press members from the Turkic Republics within the scope of the Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival held in Bursa. Press members coming from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to the Festival were hosted in Bursa and İstanbul between 1-6 November. Within the scope of the hospitality program, guest journalists visited historical and cultural sites in Bursa and İstanbul, while participating in various film screenings and events during the film festival.

TGA hosted German journalists invited to Türkiye between 30 October and 4 November in Çanakkale and İstanbul. Within the scopoe of the hospitality program, members of the press visited various sites in Çanakkale, including the Ancient City of Troy, and also visited the Troy Museum. The German journalists visited historical and touristic sites in İstanbul, and enjoyed different flavours of Turkish cuisine.

Influential social media figures from Serbia were hosted by the TGA between 2-6 November in İzmir and Muğla. Influencers invited to Türkiye within the scope of the TurkAegean Campaign visited many natural, historical and cultural places of both regions in İzmir and Muğla within the scope of the hosting program, while experiencing different flavours of Turkish cuisine. Serbian influencers included their followers in their travels in Türkiye via their social media accounts and various posts.

The TGA hosted influential social media names from France, America, England, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Norway as two groups within a special gastronomy-themed program between 5-8 and 8-12 November. A total of 27 European influencers participated in these special events held in İstanbul, which reinforced its ‘Gastro City’ status with its 2022 entry into the Michelin Guide. The guest influencers, visiting İstanbul within the scope of the program, sampled outstanding dishes in Turkish cuisine, one of the richest traditions in the world, and shared every moment of their dining experiences with their followers via their social media accounts.

Poland’s leading tour operators visited Türkiye as guests of the TGA between 6-9 November. Within the scope of the program specially prepared for them, the tour operator group visited many historical, natural and cultural sites in in Antalya, a major tourism center in Türkiye, and participated in various activities while enjoying Turkish cuisine. During their travels in Türkiye, the guest tour operators also conducted promotional visits to many hotels in Antalya.

Italian clergy and journalists were hosted in Türkiye between 7-12 November to visit the holy sites of Anatolian lands, which have hosted different religions throughout history. Within the scope of the TGA’s Faith Tourism activities, the group of 26 guests visited religious and sacred sites in Hatay, Mersin and İstanbul and were informed regarding the cultural and historical importance of these cities within the program organized by Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi (ORP), an organization affiliated to the Vatican.

Aegean vineyards emerge as stars of social media posts
Influential social media figures, invited by the TGA to Türkiye from France, Italy, Portugal and Serbia as visited the vineyard routes in the Aegean region between 7-13 November. Within the scope of the hospitality program, which aims to highlight the country’s viticulture, which has a special place in gastronomy tourism, the European influencer group was was hosted in vineyard houses in İzmir, Manisa and Denizli. The group frequently shared the best moments from their trip with their followers, generating significant traffic on their social media accounts.

Japanese tour operators experience touristic routes in Antalya and İstanbul in person
TGA hosted the senior executives of 10 leading tour operator companies of Japan in Türkiye with a special program realized in cooperation with JATA, the Japan Association of Travel Agencies. The hospitality program, in which Antalya and İstanbul were promoted as tourism destinations, was held between 8-14 November and designed to optimize the tourism and travel potential in the Japanese market. Within the scope of the program, the group discovered the different aspects and richness of both cities in the fields of history, culture and gastronomy.

Famous US travel writer Kristin Braswell on Thrace Vineyard Route
American writer Kristin Braswell visited Türkiye as a guest of the TGA and toured the vineyard routes on between 9-16 November. Braswell, who writes about luxury travel, culture and food, and has a significant readership, visited the vineyard houses in Tekirdağ and Çanakkale during her trip to Türkiye. The famous writer also visited cultural and historical sites in İstanbul.

European and Canadian Influencers also say ‘İstanbul is the New Cool’

TGA hosted an influencer group from Italy, England, Canada and the Netherlands in İstanbul. Within the scope of the ‘İstanbul is the New Cool’ campaign, these influential social media figures discovered the historical and modern aspects of İstanbul within the scope of the hospitality program, which focused on culture and art themes. The guest influencers shared their İstanbul experiences with followers via broadcasts and posts on their social media accounts.

Eastern Mediterranean welcomes European press members to its unique nature and delicacies
The group of press members visiting Türkiye by invitation of TGA were hosted within the scope of a program themed on nature and gastronomy. Journalists from England, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Serbia, Moldova and Romania visited the country between 10-14 November and toured many natural and cultural points in Adana, Mersin, Kahramanmaraş and Osmaniye, gaining knowledge regarding these sites and photographing the natural beauties. The guest group also sampled various dishes from the regional cuisine as well as fruits unique to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Journalist Janet Christie experiences history, culture, art and taste in İstanbul

Janet Christie, a writer for The Scotsman, one of the most important publications in the UK, visited İstanbul between 10-14 November at the invitation of TGA. Christie was hosted with a special program prepared to highlight the diversity and richness of İstanbul in history, arts and culture, and gastronomy. She toured remarkable places in the city and also experienced Turkish cuisine, obtaining detailed information on various recipes while meeting with the chefs in restaurants.

Guest influencers share each moment of Cappadocia days with followers

Influential social media figures from Spain, Portugal, France, Poland, Denmark and Austria were hosted in Cappadocia between 14-18 November by the TGA. During their visit, the guest influencers experienced a range of experiences specific to the history, nature, culture and gastronomy of the region, sharing their insights and photographs with followers via their social media accounts.

Members of the foreign press follow the footsteps of the Seljuks in Anatolia

A group of press members from the Turkic Republics and Eastern Europe came to Türkiye at the invitation of TGA, and were hosted in İstanbul, Sivas and Erzincan between 15-17 November. Foreign journalists from Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Romania and Serbia visited natural, historical and cultural sites in the three cities, accompanied by a guide who provided information on the sites.

Northern European journalists experience Turkish delicacies in İstanbul

With the entry of İstanbul into the Michelin Guide, TGA invited the leading publications of Northern Europe to İstanbul to promote international awareness of Turkish cuisine. Journalists from Sweden and Norway were hosted in İstanbul within the scope of a special Gastro Tour program. During the reception, where the deep-rooted history and dishes and modern aspects of Turkish cuisine were introduced, journalists dined on Turkish delicacies, met with chefs and conducted various interviews.

Beauties of Eastern Anatolia introduced to foreign journalists

Journalists from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan visited Türkiye at the invitation of TGA to discover the ‘Pearls of the East’ between 15-19 November. Within the scope of the program, the group of press members, hosted in Muş, Bingöl, Tunceli and Elazığ in Eastern Anatolia as well as in İstanbul, experienced the authentic, historical and modern aspects of Türkiye while visiting the historical, cultural and natural places in all the cities.

İstanbul and Gaziantep give US journalists the experience of ‘Turkish delicacies’

TGA hosted U.S. and Canadian journalists in İstanbul and Gaziantep on between 15-19 November as part of the gastronomy theme. Journalists experienced different dishes and street delicacies from Turkish cuisine in İstanbul. In Gaziantep, guest journalists also visited the historical and cultural sites of the city and tasted special dishes and desserts specific to the regional cuisine. The group’s members also shared their dining and touring experiences in Türkiye with followers via their social media accounts.

The Aegean’s centuries-old olive trees introduced to members of the foreign press

Twenty-two journalists from 13 countries, including Japan, the United States, Germany, Canada, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom, visited Türkiye at the invitation of the TGA. The group was hosted between 16-19 November the provinces of İzmir, Muğla and Aydın, which attract attention with their centuries-old olive groves. The journalists, who visited the historical and cultural regions of the three provinces within the scope of the program, also received information on olive trees and olive cultivation, which are the most important elements of the Aegean region and Turkish cuisine, and harvested olives.

‘Wellness’ experience in Türkiye for European influencers

TGA hosted influential social media figures from Spain, Italy, Ireland, Serbia, France, Romania and Poland in Türkiye within the scope of a special Wellness Program. The influencers, who were hosted in Bolu, Sakarya and Kocaeli between 17-21 November and 21-25 November as two groups, enjoyed traditional hammam and spa experiences in the thermal facilities and health clubs in the regions. Guests also participated in outdoor activities popular in the area such as canoeing, nature walks and cycling.

Journalist Peter Nevilla Hadley tours and films Anatolian lands

Peter Nevilla Hadley, a writer for the South China Morning Post, one of China’s most important publications, visited Türkiye between 18-26 November at the invitation of TGA. Hadley, who was hosted in İstanbul, Adıyaman, Elâzığ and Malatya within a tailored hospitality program, received detailed information about the history, culture and gastronomy of the provinces he visited.

Eastern European journalists experience the fashion and art of Turkish designers in İstanbul

TGA, as part of its ‘İstanbul is the New Cool’ campaign, organized a special press trip to highlight İstanbul’s richness in fashion and art. Between 21-24 November, the group of press members from Moldova, Poland and Romania held private meetings with important professionals and designers in the Turkish fashion sector in İstanbul, visited the stores of Turkish designers, and examined their products.

In order to draw attention to the natural, cultural and historical beauties of the Western Black Sea region,
TGA hosted a group of foreign press members in Türkiye between 23-27 November. Journalists from Sweden, Denmark, Serbia, Poland, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Greece were hosted in Zonguldak, Bartın and İstanbul. Within the scope of the program, journalists visited the historical and cultural sites of all cities and experienced the natural beauties of the Black Sea coast, as well as the local flavors of Turkish cuisine.

The group of foreign press members, who were hosted in Türkiye between November 29 and December 2 at the invitation of TGA, toured the Authentic Wooden Mosques, one of the most distinguished historical and cultural heritages of Türkiye. Journalists who visited Ankara, Karaman and Konya within the scope of the program received detailed information about the cultural, artistic and social history of Anatolia and took numerous photographs of the natural and historical beauties of the provinces they visited.

International Fairs and Events

TGA carries out promotional activities to increase international awareness of Türkiye at the World Travel Market Fair (WTM)

TGA participated in the World Travel Market (WTM), one of the leading fairs for the tourism sector, held in London between 7-9 November. TGA officials introduced Türkiye to visitors and sector professionals in various promotions during the Fair. Fair visitors showed great interest in the Turkish stand, which featured participation from 61 Turkish institutions.

Türkiye Promotion Area at FIFA World Cup attracts great attention
TGA took part in the FIFA World Cup, one of the most important organizations of world football, held in Qatar this year, via a special promotional area for Türkiye in the Al Corniche area, where many festivals are held. In the field of publicity, which attracts attention with its design and technological features, the TGA officials introduced Türkiye to the visitors coming to this important organization from all over the world.

Potentials in different fields of Türkiye shared at the 9th OIC Halal Expo

The OIC Halal Expo Fair, which is the most important commercial cooperation platform of the halal market, was held at the İstanbul Expo Center between 24-27 November with the participation of nearly 40 countries. Throughout the Fair, information was provided in the 131 m² area of the Türkiye promotion area regarding the country’s potential in many different areas, especially tourism and commerce.

İzmir hosts the 2023 EuroVelo & Bicycle Tourism Conference

TGA announced at the EuroVelo 25th anniversary virtual event, held on November 21, that İzmir would host the 2023 EuroVelo & Bicycle Tourism Conference. Ceylan Şensoy, Product Marketing Director, made a speech on behalf of the TGA at the event, noting the importance of sustainable travel and the development of bicycle tourism. He also conducted a promotional presentation about İzmir, which will host EuroVelo 2023.

The ICCA Congress, which is held regularly every year by the International Congress Association ICCA, was held this year in Krakow, Poland between 6-9 November. At the event, which was attended by the leading names and associations of the world MICE industry, TGA conveyed information on Türkiye’s place in the MICE sector and its importance as a MICE destination via various meetings and networking sessions.

The U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) Conference was held in Texas, USA from November 27 to December 2 this year. TGA participated in the conference and held one-on-one meetings with important tour operators. In addition, the Gala Dinner, organized for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the USTOA, was sponsored by Türkiye. More than 750 U.S. tour operators and foreign members were introduced to Türkiye at the gala.

Officials from Golf Plaisir, the largest golf tourism operator in the Scandinavian market, visited the golf facilities and courses in Antalya Belek, between 24-27 November 2022 upon the invitation of TGA. TGA provided information on Turkish golf tourism via a presentation for the guests within the scope of the invitation and also provided one-to-one experiences by showing tour operators the golf facilities and courses in Belek.

The TravelTalk Congress, organized by Germany’s largest travel industry magazine fvw, was held in a country outside Germany for the first time this year with the support of TGA. At the Congress, held in Antalya between 2-5 November, TGA conducted a promotional presentation for the senior managers of German tour operators, members of the media and agencies, introducing destinations in Türkiye and, at the same time, bringing our country to the forefront in different aspects.

TGA participated in BrideLux Symposium, one of the most important platforms for the destination wedding sector. At the symposium in Paris, held between 2-4 November, TGA officials held one-on-one meetings with senior organizers and planners from the sector, in addition to providing information highlighting the position and richness of Türkiye, especially in terms of destination weddings and organizations.

TGA supported the meeting and gala night organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) within the scope of the ‘Wings of Change’ event. Two-hundred and forty foreign guests from 40 countries attended the gala night festivities of the event, which was held in İstanbul on 8-9 November, while approximately 600 people from 40 countries attended the meeting held on 9 November.

Provinces and Destination Promotion Activities

A total of 308 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, Batman, Bayburt held their second board meetings. Adana, Erzincan, Hakkâri, Kayseri held third board meetings, while Bitlis, Kars, Niğde, Bolu held fourth board meetings. Erzurum, Düzce, Gümüşhane held their fifth board meetings, and Antalya and İzmir held their sixth board meetings. Within the scope of the Provincial Promotion and Development Program, a total of 308 meetings took place in November.