Trabzon tourism booms with increased cruise tours and direct int’l flights

Trabzon, a popular destination known for its diverse offerings from mountains and plateaus to stunning Black Sea coastline, has kicked off the summer season in high gear. The city is seeing a surge in tourist arrivals, fueled by an increase in cruise ship visits and direct international flights.

Standing out with its combination of green and blue and historical and cultural values, the city welcomes visitors from all over Türkiye and abroad.

Among the most visited places in Trabzon are the Sumela Monastery, Uzungol, Hagia Sophia Mosque, Ataturk Mansion and Cal Cave.

Appealing to those seeking alternative holidays with its plateaus, forests, beaches, waterfalls, and lakes, the city also shines with its local cuisine.

As developments in sea and air transportation make Trabzon more accessible, the alternative tourism routes in the city have started bustling during the season.

Tamer Erdogan, the provincial director of culture and tourism, told an Anadolu Agency correspondent that Trabzon is one of the most important tourism destinations in the Eastern Black Sea.

Erdogan pointed out that millions of tourists visit the city every year for nature, plateau, and faith tourism. He said, “Last year, we hosted over 1.32 million visitors, with 706,532 being foreign visitors who stayed overnight.”

He emphasized that the number of foreign tourists visiting the city has exceeded that of domestic tourists, indicating strong interest in Trabzon, with many airlines starting direct flights from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Dubai this month.

Previously, visitors from the Gulf region had to rely on connecting flights, but these new measures are expected to significantly boost tourism. “We are much more hopeful for 2024 compared to the previous year,” he said.

Erdogan also expects an increase in visitor and accommodation numbers, especially with visa exemptions. He mentioned that last year, an airline from Qatar started flying to Trabzon three days a week, increasing to five days due to high demand, and started direct flights five days a week in early June.

Pointing out that June has been busy with direct flights from Dubai and Gulf countries, Erdogan mentioned new direct flight requests to Trabzon.

Erdogan stated that Trabzon always attracts visitors and is among our country’s most visited cities by both domestic and foreign guests. He also stated that besides the summer season, they expect intense visitors during the Eid al-Adha holiday, adding, “We are ready with all our facilities and destinations.”

’21 more cruise ships planned before year end’

Tamer Erdogan highlighted positive developments in cruise tourism, stating: “Cruise tourism in Trabzon was interrupted for five years. On Aug. 5, 2022, with the intensive efforts of our ministry, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, and the Governorship, cruise ship visits started. Flights from Sochi to Trabzon started in 2022 and are still ongoing. In 2022, we hosted around 5,000 passengers with 8 ships. Despite it being the winter season in 2023, they started in January, with 23 ships and 16,728 passengers. In the first 4 months of 2024, we hosted about 5,000 passengers with 6 ships.”

Erdogan mentioned that they plan for 21 more cruise ships to arrive before the year ends, aiming for tourism diversity with the slogan “tourism every month, tourism every season.”

‘We really liked Trabzon and its tourism alternatives’

Ibrahim Khalil from Oman, who came to Trabzon with his family for vacation, said they would spend 12 days here.

Khalil, who had visited Trabzon before, said, “Uzungol was very beautiful, and the prices were reasonable, so we came again.”

He expressed their admiration for Trabzon and its tourism options, saying, “We came back because we liked it. It’s very beautiful. We want to explore every part of it again.”

Hassan Daghriri from Saudi Arabia said they would stay in Trabzon with his family for two weeks.

Daghriri, who visited the city center, districts, Uzungol, Cal Cave and waterfalls, said, “We really liked Trabzon. Hopefully, we will come back during the summer and other holiday periods.”