Having closed last year with a highly productive performance, Camelot Maritime is now turning its focus to 2024. Emrah Yılmaz Çavuşoğlu, Chairman of the Board of Camelot Maritime, stated:“With the momentum we achieved in 2023, we enter 2024 with greater optimism. We anticipate 2024 to be a bright year for tourism. By showcasing Turkey’s beauties and hidden gems to tourists, we contribute to promoting our country.”
Turkey, positioned as one of the world’s most important tourism destinations, closed 2023 with record figures. Tourism professionals in the country, satisfied with surpassing the 2019 tourism data, are now setting their sights on 2024.
Visitor Numbers Increased by 6.8% Compared to the Same Quarter Last Year
As the first company in Turkey to operate a foreign-owned passenger ship, Emrah Yılmaz Çavuşoğlu noted that visitor numbers increased by 6.8% compared to the same quarter of the previous year.“According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), the number of visitors leaving the country in the third quarter of 2023 rose by 6.8% compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 22,428,234 people. Among these visitors, 2,687,458 people, or 12%, were Turkish citizens residing abroad.”
Tourism Revenue Increased by 13.1% Compared to the Same Quarter Last Year
Tourism revenue in the third quarter (July–September) of 2023 increased by 13.1% compared to the same quarter in 2022, reaching USD 20,225,317,000. Çavuşoğlu added:“According to TÜİK, 16.5% of tourism revenue in the third quarter of 2023 came from Turkish citizens residing abroad who visited the country. Visitors organized their trips either individually or through package tours.”
He further explained that USD 14,644,632,000 of this revenue came from individual spending, while USD 5,580,686,000 came from package tour expenditures.
Average Visitor Spending and Travel Purpose
Çavuşoğlu emphasized: “The number of visitors leaving Turkey in the third quarter of 2023 rose by 6.8% to 22,428,234 people, with 12% of these visitors being Turkish citizens living abroad (2,687,458 people). The average nightly spending per visitor was USD 103, while the average nightly spending for citizens residing abroad was USD 74. During this quarter, 76.2% of visitors came for sightseeing, entertainment, sports, or cultural activities.”
Overseas Travel by Citizens Increased by 43.7%
In the same quarter, the number of Turkish citizens traveling abroad rose by 43.7%, reaching 2,978,418 people. Çavuşoğlu added that the average spending per person on these trips was USD 649.
Camelot Maritime to Continue Making Headlines in 2024
Çavuşoğlu highlighted that Camelot Maritime made a significant impact on both the tourism sector and the Turkish economy in 2023. “2023 was an extremely productive year, both for our company and for Turkish tourism. We surpassed the 2019 tourism record. From now on, 2023 data will serve as the benchmark for the sector. Compared to 2023, early bookings for 2024 show a 20% increase, indicating a bright year ahead for cruise tourism. As Camelot Maritime, we will continue to focus on investments in 2024. We will keep introducing tourists to Turkey’s hidden gems and contributing to the promotion of our country.”