March 6, 2025 TnH Global

Türkiye Makes Powerful Impact on Opening Day of SATTE 2025, Showcasing Record Tourism Growth

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) attach great importance to the Indian market and marked a commanding presence on the inaugural day of SATTE 2025, South Asia’s premier travel and tourism exhibition. The event is being held at the state-of-the-art Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre) in New Delhi.

H.E. Mr. Firat Sunel, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to India, attended the opening ceremony and welcomed visitors at the GoTurkiye Pavilion, highlighting the strong tourism ties between the two nations. Turkish Delegation led by Ms. Basak Onsal Demir, Counsellor for Culture and Tourism Affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye, accompanied by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) representatives Ms Cagla Yontem (MICE Director-Weddings & Incentives) and Mr. Dogucan Lale (Exhibition Assistant Manager) showcased the country’s remarkable tourism achievements and diverse offerings through an innovative display at Booth B54, featuring around 20 companies.

The timing of Türkiye’s participation at SATTE 2025 is particularly significant, following a stellar performance in 2024 that saw the country welcome 62.2 million international visitors, marking a 9.8% year-on-year growth. The Indian market emerged as a particularly strong growth driver, with visitor numbers surging by 20.7% compared to 2023, underlining the increasing appeal of Turkish destinations among Indian travellers.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Mr. Firat Sunel said, “India represents one of our most dynamic and fastest-growing source markets. Our tourism revenue reached a historic high of 61.1 billion USD in 2024, with an impressive average visitor spend of USD 972. Through our presence at SATTE 2025, we aim to build on this momentum and showcase Türkiye’s unique blend of historical heritage, modern attractions, and authentic experiences that resonate deeply with Indian travellers. The remarkable growth in Indian visitors is a testament to our strategic initiatives, including enhanced air connectivity between major Indian cities and Turkish destinations, specialised experiences catering to Indian preferences, and strong support for wedding planners and MICE organisers.”

The Turkish pavilion has attracted significant attention from travel trade professionals, featuring immersive displays highlighting popular wedding destinations including Istanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia, along with comprehensive MICE facilities across major cities. The focus on luxury tourism and bespoke travel experiences has particularly resonated with Indian visitors, reflecting the growing sophistication of the Indian outbound travel market.

Building on the strong start, the Turkish delegation will continue to engage with travel professionals through personalised meetings and presentations until February 21st at Booth B54. These interactions are expected to further strengthen the tourism ties between Türkiye and India, contributing to the ambitious growth trajectory of Turkish tourism in 2025.