A sharp increase in the flow of Turkish tourists to Greece was recorded in 2023, while very high in the preferences of the Greeks – specifically in third place – Turkey was found in the same year.

In 2023, it was noted increase by 90% of Turks who visited Greece in relation to 2022 (from 478,000 in 2022, 877.00 in 2023).

Turkey was the third most popular tourist destination for Greeks in 2023. The neighboring country was visited by 570,000 Greeks in 2022 and in 2023 their number reached 686,000 (20% increase).

The figures that show an upward trajectory in tourist flows were presented by the consul general of Turkey in Thessaloniki, Serkan Gedik, in a workshop aimed at strengthening cooperation between Turkey and Greece in the field of tourism and promoting different regions and forms of tourism with a focus on Cappadocia , organized by the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) and the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in Greece.

Noting that there is great potential, mainly regarding Northern Greeceas the geographical proximity and positive perception on both sides are important advantages, Mr. Gedik observed that on both sides big tourism campaigns are not necessary for their tourism promotion, but the presentation of different destinations.

Turkey is beyond Istanbul and Greece is beyond Athens, Thessaloniki and the islands, underlined the consul general of Turkey in Thessaloniki.

In 2023, 56 million tourists visited Turkey. Istanbul was chosen by 18 million tourists, said the director of the Culture and Tourism office of the Turkish embassy in Athens, Veli Aydin, noting that Cappadocia attracts 4-5 million visitors a year.

The president of the Association of Tourist Offices of Macedonia Thrace, Byron Theologis said that Athens and Thessaloniki are connected by regular flights to Istanbul and that from there the road trip to Cappadocia takes 7 to 8 hours.

Cappadocia it has tastes, aromas, spectacles and the hot air balloon ride, the cost of which amounts to 150-180 euros, emphasized Mr. Theologis, underlining that the statistics show that people of all ages visit Istanbul from Greece, but More young Greek visitors choose Cappadocia.

Cappadocia, “The Land of Fairy Tales”, is a wonder of nature and is part of a travel route, in which the traveler can experience history, art, energy and unforgettable moments in a hot air balloon, said the representative of the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Organization , Bourtzu Gezeroglou.

He also mentioned that with a cooperation agreement signed by the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency of Turkey (TGA) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Turkey became the first country in the world to develop a mandatory national program, based on which Turkish tourism industry will accelerate global sustainability practices.

The history of Cappadocia that hosted different cultures over the centuries was mentioned by Sukran Unser, director of the Cappadocia Research Center of Cappadocia University.

The workshop takes place today, Tuesday in Thessaloniki and tomorrow in Athens, with the support of Turkish Airlines, the Federation of Greek Travel & Tourism Agencies Associations (FedHATTA), the Association of Greek Tourist and Travel Agencies (HATTA) and the Association of Tourist Agencies of Macedonia Thrace .

The event was attended by the Vice-Regional Governor of Tourism of Central Macedonia, Vicky Hatzivasileiou, the president of EETH Michalis Zorpidis and representatives of travel agencies.