Turkey's cruise tourism sees growth with 28,625 passengers in January 2026, aiming for 3 million by year-end, showcasing year-round potential.
Turkey's cruise tourism has made a remarkable start in 2026. In January, a total of 28,625 passenger movements were recorded with 18 cruise ships docking at four ports. This scenario, occurring during the winter season, once again demonstrated that the sector is not solely dependent on the summer months. Evaluating the January data, Emrah Yılmaz Çavuşoğlu, Chairman of Camelot Maritime, stated that the level achieved during the winter period indicates that Turkey has attained sustainable growth in its cruise tourism, emphasizing that the target of 3 million passengers by 2026 has now become a concrete and achievable milestone.
With its performance in January, Turkey's cruise tourism has already set the direction for the season in 2026. A total of 28,625 passenger movements were recorded with 18 cruise ships docking at the ports of Istanbul, Izmir, Kusadasi, and Samsun. The results obtained during the winter period reveal that Turkey has surpassed the perception of seasonality in its cruise tourism.
Of the total passenger movements, 25,225 were transit passengers, while 1,704 passengers boarded ships from Turkey, and 1,696 passengers traveled to other countries. Istanbul ranked first with 12,228 passengers, followed by Izmir with 8,858, Kusadasi with 5,519, and Samsun with 2,020 passengers.
Last year, Turkey reached 2,138,136 passengers with 1,375 ships visiting 19 ports, and aims to raise the bar even higher by 2026.
"There is Now a Year-Round Mobility in Cruising"
The passenger movements recorded by the ships docking at the ports during the winter season indicate that Turkey is no longer a destination solely dependent on the summer period; it has established a more permanent and strong position in international cruise planning thanks to its strategic location on the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea routes. Evaluating the January data, Captain Emrah Yılmaz Çavuşoğlu, Chairman of Camelot Maritime, stated that cruise tourism has now moved beyond being a seasonal activity, saying, "Turkey's strategic position on the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea routes is among the decisive factors in the route planning of mega cruise ships. Seeing this level of passenger movement even in winter demonstrates Turkey's permanent position in cruise routes. We are now talking about a mobility that spans 12 months, not just traffic dependent on the summer season. Especially Istanbul's potential as a homeport plays a critical role in the growth of the sector. If this momentum is maintained, it will be possible to approach the level of 3 million passengers by 2026."
Transit Passenger Economy is Growing
The number of transit passengers exceeding 25,000 in January signifies high added value for port cities. City tours, gastronomy, shopping, and cultural experience programs enhance the cruise passenger's interaction with the destination. This situation directly affects not only port revenues but also local tradespeople, transportation, and guiding services. Highlighting that a model focusing not only on passenger numbers but also on economic contributions per passenger will gain importance in the 2026 season, Çavuşoğlu stated, "In the new era, the goal is not just 3 million passengers; it will be a profile that is more qualified, interacts more with the destination, and provides higher contributions to the city economy," expressing that cruise tourism will continue to be one of the strategic growth areas for Turkey.
The Threshold of 3 Million Passengers is in Sight
Following the total passenger count exceeding 2.1 million in 2025, it is anticipated that the level of 3 million passengers could be approached in 2026. The increasing traffic of mega ships, expanding route planning, and the growing interest of international operators in Turkish ports support this expectation.
Çavuşoğlu stated that 2026 will be a critical year not only for growth but also in terms of quality, sustainability, and infrastructure investments, saying, "With the right investments, strong promotion, and public-private sector collaborations, Turkey can reach a new threshold in cruise tourism. 3 million passengers is now an attainable goal."
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
