Türkiye has witnessed a dramatic boost in cruise tourism in February 2025. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that passenger arrivals jumped by 509.3% compared to the same month last year, reaching 29,826. This surge, alongside a 220% increase in the number of cruise ships docking at Turkish ports, marks a new monthly record for the country.
Key ports contributed significantly to this growth. Kuşadası Port in Aydin welcomed 10,656 passengers across seven cruise ships, while Istanbul ports recorded 9,743 passengers from four ships. Izmir’s Port of Alsancak saw 8,484 passengers on four ships, and Antalya’s Port of Akdeniz received 943 passengers from one vessel. Over the first two months of 2025, a total of 39 cruise ships and 62,512 passengers visited Turkish ports, with Istanbul leading the way.
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that Türkiye's rich historical, cultural, and natural attractions have cemented its position as a preferred destination in global cruise tourism. The momentum was further boosted by the opening of Galataport and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. In 2024, Türkiye set a record with 1,195 cruise ships and 1.89 million passengers arriving at its ports, and officials now anticipate exceeding 2 million passengers in 2025.
