The Ministry of Culture & Tourism of Türkiye and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), in partnership with the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), successfully wrapped up the initial phase of their extensive six-city India Roadshow for 2024. The event saw participation from 30 major Turkish stakeholders, including tour operators and hoteliers, showcasing the diverse tourism opportunities Turkey has to offer.
Participants at the event were treated to an engaging showcase of Türkiye's stunning landscapes, historical landmarks and vibrant cities. The B2B sessions facilitated meaningful dialogue, paving the way for new collaborations between leaders in the Indian travel sector and Turkish service providers.
Prominent Indian travel brands actively participated in this event, underscoring the industry's enthusiasm for Turkey as a premier destination. The Turkish ambassador Fırat Sunel emphasised the significance of the growing tourism relations between the two nations.
A presentation at the event revealed insightful statistics about Indian tourists' preferences in Türkiye the previous year. Istanbul emerged as the top destination, attracting 54 per cent of Indian tourists, while 11 per cent opted for the coastal beauty of Antalya, Cappadocia, known for its unique landscapes and hot air balloon rides, drew 9% of the tourists., 5 per cent chose to visit Kusadasi, and 3 per cent went to Pamukkale from January to November last year.
The presentation underscored Türkiye's growing appeal and “increasing popularity” among Indian travellers, particularly for destination weddings, with a preference for historical settings, palaces, ancient cisterns, and elegant waterside mansions.
The Delhi roadshow saw an impressive turnout, with more than 200 members of the tourism sector from both Türkiye and India participating. The roadshow highlighted the vibrant synergy between the two countries. It served as a pivotal platform for showcasing Türkiye’s diverse tourism offerings to the growing Indian travel trade community. The six-city roadshow continues with events in Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, and the final session is planned in Ahmedabad.