Cruise arrivals on Türkiye’s Aegean coast surge sixfold amid Santorini tremors
Passengers watch the Astoria Grande cruise ship dock at a port in Izmir, Türkiye, on Mar. 29, 2025. (AA Photo)
Türkiye’s cruise sector started the year with record-breaking figures in January and February, with passenger numbers in February alone rising nearly sixfold compared to the same period last year—driven largely by recent regional conflicts and seismic activity near Santorini Island in the Aegean Sea.
The number of cruise passengers arriving in Türkiye has been steadily rising over the past four years. In January 2025, 32,686 cruise tourists visited the country—an increase from 19,986 in January 2024. The growth was even more dramatic in February, with arrivals soaring from 4,895 last year to 29,826 this year.
Türkiye’s advantageous location and proximity to world-renowned destinations have strengthened its position in the cruise tourism sector. Ports such as Izmir and Aydin—particularly the popular coastal town of Kusadasi—are expected to maintain this growth throughout the year.
Santorini tremors redirect cruise traffic to Türkiye
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Oguz Ozkardes, a board member of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO), emphasized the significance of cruise tourism for port cities’ economies.
“We’ve seen a notable rise in passenger numbers recently,” Ozkardes said. “Our analysis suggests that cruise lines have had to cancel calls at certain destinations due to armed conflicts. As a result, tourists have been redirected to our region. Izmir is one of the ports experiencing the largest increase. The recent seismic activity in the Aegean also played a role in this shift.”
Ozkardes added that Turkish authorities have been actively participating in international cruise fairs and engaging with companies to attract new cruise itineraries.
“Visitors arriving here can explore incredible attractions—Bergama, Ephesus, and our vibrant city of Izmir. As long as tourists enjoy their experience and cruise operators see commercial value, this growth will become more sustainable.”
Kusadasi takes the lead in cruise arrivals
Kusadasi, in the western province of Aydin, remains Türkiye’s top cruise destination. According to Bulent Ilbahar, president of the Kusadasi Tourism Association, the port is set to host around 600 cruise ships this year, up from 500 last year.
He noted that the shift in cruise routes has brought economic benefits to the region, citing both the tremors near Santorini and Israel’s military offensive in Gaza as contributing factors.
“February was strong, and March is off to a great start,” Ilbahar said. “Kusadasi has come alive again. When cruise ships dock, all local shopkeepers open their stores.”
Abdulsamet Atasci, a board member of Asaf Maritime, also underlined the growing interest in Izmir as a cruise destination. “Cruise passengers have a direct positive impact on local businesses,” Atasci said.
“In recent years, we’ve seen increased demand for Izmir—especially because of the government’s efforts to improve service quality at our ports,” he added.
