Booking.com set for a comeback in Türkiye

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced promising developments regarding Booking.com’s return to the Turkish market.

In a significant move, Ersoy recently met with representatives of the online travel giant, Booking.com. The platform has faced operational restrictions in Turkiye since March 29, 2017, following a complaint from the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB) regarding unfair competition.

The legal battle concluded on October 18, 2019, with a ruling favoring TURSAB. Currently, Turkish users can book international accommodations through Booking.com, but they cannot make bookings within Turkiye from abroad.

‘Efforts to upscale Booking.com in Türkiye underway’

Ersoy shared updates from the meeting on X: “Our efforts to increase Booking.com’s activities in Türkiye are ongoing.”

“We met with Booking.com’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa Region Vice President and Managing Director Mr. Carlo Olejniczak, along with his delegation. I would like to thank Mr. Olejniczak and his delegation for their kind visit,” he added.

This development marks a pivotal step toward revitalizing the tourism sector in Türkiye, potentially leading to greater convenience and options for travelers and boosting the local economy.