Türkiye targets Chinese tourism market
Antalya, which broke a record last year by hosting 17,122,548 foreign tourists, welcomed more than 10,500 Chinese visitors.
Kaan Kaşif Kavaloğlu, President of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association of Türkiye, told an Anadolu Agency correspondent that China is one of the world’s largest source markets, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.
Stating that the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) carries out significant marketing activities for European markets, Kavaloğlu said: “Countries that are a bit farther away from us, such as China and the US, are also very serious source markets. With our seven geographical regions, we have the capacity to serve every type of source market. Therefore, China and America are very important for us. The introduction of mutual visa exemption with China is a very positive development.”
Kavaloğlu noted that they hosted executives of China’s largest direct and online sales platform, Trip.com, in Türkiye and organized programs allowing the delegation to visit Antalya, Istanbul, the Aegean region and Cappadocia.
Stating that more than 400,000 Chinese tourists came to Türkiye in 2025, Kavaloğlu continued:
“There was significant and very positive media coverage in China regarding the visa exemption. Turkish TV series have high viewing rates in China, which also positively affects tourism. Antalya will become a meeting point for Chinese people living in Europe and those living in China. Just as we see this with Iranians, Indians or other nationalities, Antalya and Istanbul seem set to become new meeting points for Chinese tourists as well. I view this very positively and believe these numbers could increase significantly in a short time.”
Emphasizing that Chinese tourists are very interested in historical sites and cultural tourism, Kavaloğlu said: “Last year, we hosted more than 10,000 Chinese tourists in Antalya. They mostly visited in April and December. Chinese tourists prefer shoulder seasons rather than peak periods. I believe this will make a serious contribution both to diversifying Antalya’s tourism and extending the tourism season.”
Manavgat suitable for Chinese tourists
Zafer Süral, President of the Manavgat-Side Touristic Hoteliers Association, recalled that with a decision published in the Official Gazette, citizens of the People’s Republic of China will be allowed to stay in Türkiye for up to 90 days for tourism purposes as of January 2, 2026.
Stating that visa exemption is a critical threshold for spreading tourism throughout the year, Süral said: “Our Chinese guests will now be able to travel to Türkiye easily with just their passports for holidays or transit. This development has been welcomed with great joy by the Manavgat and Side tourism community.”
Süral highlighted that Chinese tourists are among the highest-spending and most culture-oriented traveler groups, adding:
“We believe we can fully meet the cultural and historical expectations of Chinese guests in Side. When combined with our historical texture and winter sun, the region will become an indispensable attraction for them. Visa exemption will also encourage individual travel, providing a lifeline to local tradespeople and the regional economy. Chinese tourists’ interest in local cuisine and their shopping potential will keep our bazaars lively in winter.”
Noting that excavation and restoration works in the region have accelerated thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Heritage for the Future Project,” Süral said they believe newly uncovered historical assets will boost the number of Chinese visitors.
As reported by CE Report, Süral also expressed confidence that, with TGA’s strategic advertising efforts, the number of Chinese tourists could exceed 2 million in the medium term, calling on tour operators and airlines to invest in the Chinese market.
