Turkey Observes a 65% Increase in Chinese Tourists in 2024, as Stated by the Ambassador
In a recent development, China's ambassador to Ankara, Jiang Xuebin, highlighted the significant growth in tourism ties between China and Turkey. According to Jiang, Turkey hosted over 400,000 Chinese tourists last year, making it the fastest-growing tourism market for Chinese visitors[1][2][3].
This surge in Chinese tourist arrivals, which saw a 65% increase in 2024, can be attributed to several initiatives. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation was signed between the two countries last year, facilitating tourist infrastructure, increasing flight services, establishing online promotional platforms, and organizing cultural performances[1][2][3].
Moreover, the civil aviation authorities of both countries have significantly increased passenger flight rights recently, enabling more flights and better connectivity between the two nations[1][2][3]. This expansion of air links supports the strong rise in Chinese tourist arrivals.
Looking ahead, Turkey and China plan to deepen cooperation in history, culture, art, and archaeology, aiming to further enhance mutual understanding and encourage more Chinese tourists to visit[1][2][3]. The historic Silk Road connection and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework continue to underpin these bilateral relations, promoting broader cultural and economic ties alongside tourism[1][2][3].
In the Cappadocia region—a key cultural and tourist hotspot for Chinese visitors—local officials emphasize a shift toward creating not only visitor numbers but also long-term people-to-people bonds, ensuring tourists feel welcomed in a safe, respectful environment[4]. The ongoing collaboration since events like the 2018 "Turkish Tourism Year" in China illustrates a steady growth in ties beyond mere statistics[4].
On the economic front, trade volume between China and Turkey reached $48.3 billion last year, making Turkey one of China's major trading partners[1][2][3]. Additionally, the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the Middle Corridor Plan has accelerated, further strengthening economic ties between the two nations[1][2][3].
China encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Turkey to help it achieve green development and rise in the global value chain[1][2][3]. Jiang Xuebin emphasized that Turkey is a natural partner of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Bilateral contacts at all levels have increased, and China-Turkey relations have maintained a positive development trend[1][2][3].
In conclusion, the growing tourism cooperation between Turkey and China, marked by the MoU, increased flight connections, enhanced tourism infrastructure, and plans for deeper cultural exchanges, is contributing to a rapidly growing influx of Chinese tourists to Turkey in 2024 and beyond. Meanwhile, the economic ties between the two nations continue to strengthen, with Turkey becoming one of China's major trading partners.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation between Turkey and China is facilitating the development of tourist infrastructure, increasing flight services, and establishing online promotional platforms to attract more Chinese tourists [1][2][3]. The increase in flights and air links between the two nations aids in the burgeoning growth of Chinese tourist arrivals [1][2][3]. As the number of Chinese tourists visiting Turkey grows, both countries aim to deepen cooperation in history, culture, art, and archaeology to strengthen cultural ties [1][2][3].
