Tas Tepeler leads way in Türkiye’s archaeological tourism boom

Gokhan Yazgi, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, has announced plans to establish a new Neolithic-era destination route in Sanliurfa, encompassing renowned sites such as Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency during his visit to the region, Yazgi emphasized Sanliurfa’s pivotal role in Türkiye’s cultural tourism landscape. The minister highlighted ongoing archaeological efforts under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, particularly the groundbreaking Tas Tepeler Project (Stone Mounds Project).

Tas Tepeler: Türkiye’s largest multidisciplinary excavation

Yazgi described the Tas Tepeler Project as one of the most significant archaeological initiatives globally, involving excavations across 12 distinct sites in Sanliurfa.

“This is the largest multidisciplinary excavation currently underway worldwide. We have completed the tender for Karahantepe’s visitor center, establishing it as the second major destination after Gobeklitepe,” Yazgi stated.

The findings unearthed in Karahantepe, along with future discoveries in Sefertepe and Sayburc, will be transformed into new tourist destinations. “Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy is overseeing this project personally, supported by a dedicated budget. International scholars and the team led by Project Coordinator Professor Necmi Karul are driving these efforts,” Yazgi added.

Gobeklitepe’s global fame inspires greater tourism ambitions

Gobeklitepe, already a world-renowned site, continues to attract significant international interest. This has inspired the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to broaden the scope of archaeological tourism in the region.

“Our excavations in Gobeklitepe, Karahantepe, and other locations are proceeding at full speed,” Yazgi said. He also noted a special partnership with Turkish Airlines to promote the Tas Tepeler Project globally. “A unique promotional video is now featured on our flights, generating growing interest in Gobeklitepe and the broader project.”

New era for Sanliurfa tourism

Yazgi underlined Sanliurfa’s potential to become a major tourism hub, thanks to the Tas Tepeler Project. He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders contributing to the initiative, which promises to redefine Türkiye’s cultural tourism narrative.

With its ancient sites and groundbreaking discoveries, Sanliurfa is poised to lead the way in connecting the world to Türkiye’s rich Neolithic heritage.