Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy visited Costa Venezia, which is stated to be the largest cruise ship ever to come to Turkey. Minister Ersoy said, “The place for the New Port is certain, our Ministry of Transport is working. There is a study around Yenikapı, which will be introduced after it is completed. We are committed to our target of 42 million tourists and 35 billion dollars income.”
The biggest cruise ship “Costa Venezia” that has ever arrived in Turkish ports, docked at Galataport İstanbul. The ship, which is 64-meter-high and has 5100-passenger-capacity, will use İstanbul as her main port for 6 days and will sail after picking up her passengers.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy visited Costa Venezia. Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya accompanied Minister Ersoy, who toured the inside of the ship. Minister Ersoy, who made a press statement after visiting the ship, announced the number of tourists they are targeting this year. Minister Ersoy announced that the studies for a new port in Yenikapı have also started.
All the features required to be a homeport are in Istanbul
In his speech, Ersoy said, “Istanbul was supposed to be a homeport for cruise ships, that is, a homeport where arrivals and departures are made. In this context, Istanbul is very lucky. Why is it lucky, because all the features required to be a homeport are in Istanbul. Michelin put Istanbul on its radar. Until October 11, it will determine the restaurants in Istanbul and distribute the Michelin stars. In other words, Istanbul has completed all its deficiencies, whether it is a shopping point, gastronomy, historical and natural beauties, airport infrastructure, direct flights to more than 130 cities, and metro infrastructures that connect the airport and city centers. We are reaping the fruits of this quickly. Now going back to homeport, today is a very important day. Costa is one of the few cruise ships in the world and is also the brand of a very large chain corporation around the world. She has docked in Istanbul and as of May 1st, her regular departures from Istanbul will start cruise tours to Turkey and Greece. In the first stage, 25 tours are planned. These tours will continue until winter. After the winter, they will carry out a program over the Mediterranean, which extends to Egypt. It plans to double this year’s target capacity next year. Already incoming Galataport reservations are very, very important. There are currently more than 200 reservations. We think that this will double rapidly in the next year, and we think that the need for a new port by 2024 is important and needed for Istanbul. Our Ministry of Transport is also working in this regard. We aim for a new port tender to be made and Istanbul will come to the first place in the cities that receive much more cruise customers than in the past, and even the few cruise ships in Europe.”
‘Studies have begun for a new port in Yenikapı’
Mentioning that the number of tourists targeted for this year is 42 million and they will not deviate from this target, Minister Ersoy said, “You know, we are targeting 42 million tourists and an income of 35 billion dollars for this year. Of course, after the war in the Black Sea, there are concerns about whether there will be a restriction or an obstacle, but I, as a ministry, have explained it before, and now I am explaining it. We are committed to our target of 42 million tourists and 35 billion dollars of income. As I mentioned earlier, we are making very intensive promotions with our Tourism Development Agency. Compared to last year, there are serious increases in alternative markets, especially in western and Middle Eastern markets. Hopefully, the industry and the state will work together to reach the figure we announced at the beginning of the year, and we will continue on our way by breaking records. The place for the New Port is determined, our ministry of transport is working, there is a study around Yenikapı and it will be introduced after it is completed. This year’s 200 cruise ships are valid for Galataport. You know, there are also cruises coming to Kuşadası and Çeşme. Some dock in Antalya. Galataport has now received more than 200 reservations.”
‘Our priority is the end of the war’
Speaking about the tourists coming from Russia, Minister Ersoy stated that the priority is the end of the war, and tourism came after that, and said, “You know, there is a war in Russia right now. Our priority is to achieve a ceasefire and speedily secure the peace process. In this context, our Minister of Foreign Affairs and especially our President are working very seriously. We are the hardest working country in the world. Our priority right now is to achieve a ceasefire. Tourism will already occur outside of it, but I repeat, there is not the slightest deviation from our target of 42 million tourists.”