Türkiye Tourism, Wego campaign targets Middle East travellers

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Historical region of Cappadocia in Türkiye

Travel app Wego has partnered with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) to launch a regional campaign highlighting the “depth and diversity of Türkiye’s cultural appeal” to travellers from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The promotion positions Türkiye as a summer hotspot for regional travellers, highlighting the country’s mix of cultural, coastal and culinary attractions, from sailing the Aegean coast to exploring Istanbul’s vibrant café scene and stepping back in time at ancient sites.

Convenient visa procedures and short flight times — often under four hours from most Gulf markets — make Türkiye a popular option for regional travellers.

The campaign casts a spotlight on a wide sweep of summer options: coastal hubs such as Bodrum and Çeşme combine seaside resorts and seafood dining, while inland highlights like Pamukkale’s thermal spas and Cappadocia’s fairy-tale landscapes appeal to wellness and adventure travellers.

Bodrum in Türkiye

In addition, cities such as Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara are highlighted for their mix of history, contemporary life and cultural vibrancy.

“We have 22 UNESCO Heritage Sites in our country,” said Sinan Seha Türkseven, Acting General Manager of TGA. “We are also the world’s number 2 country with regard to the number of Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage sites, which makes Türkiye an ideal destination for cultural explorations."

Food is another cornerstone of the promotion, drawing travellers to Türkiye’s culinary heritage, from kebabs and mezzes to baklava and vibrant local markets. A growing festival calendar of music, food and cultural events is also being promoted to appeal to younger travellers and family groups alike.

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The collaboration further incorporates sustainability elements, with TGA promoting eco-tourism initiatives along the Black Sea, heritage preservation programmes in towns such as Safranbolu and gastronomy routes that protect local producers and traditional practices.

MENA has long been one of Türkiye’s strongest source markets, supported by short flight times, cultural ties and shared culinary traditions.

That demand continues to grow, with Türkiye ranked as the world’s fourth-largest inbound market in 2024, attracting 62.3 million visitors — a 9.8% increase on the previous year.

The 2025 Connecting Travel Insight Report lists Türkiye as the leading year-round destination for Gulf travellers, with airline seat capacity from the GCC to Istanbul up 20% in 2024 compared to 2019, according to Mabrian.

For more information, visit www.wego.com