Mr. Onur Gözet, Deputy Director General for Promotion, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, shares insights on Türkiye’s tourism landscape, cultural exchange, and initiatives to strengthen diplomatic ties with India. From visa processes to sustainable tourism and gastronomy, Mr. Gözet highlights the country’s unique offerings for Indian tourists. Mr. Onur Gözet, Deputy Director General for Promotion, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye (Photo by arrangement)What are the primary objectives of the Six-city India Destination Promotion Event 2025?India is one of the most important tourism source markets for Türkiye. Last year, 3,30,000 Indian citizens visited Turkiye, a 20% increase from the previous year. We are promoting Türkiye’s destinations, especially for MICE tourism events, weddings, and meetings. Besides Istanbul and Cappadocia, we want to promote other destinations like Pamukkale, Bodrum, Izmir, Konya, and Southeastern Anatolia.We are here as part of a roadshow event that started in Kolkata, then Chennai, and now Hyderabad. We will also visit Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. We have 30 companies with us, including travel agencies, tour organisers, and event organisers, along with Turkish Airlines and Indigo Airlines. We are representing the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, along with our Culture and Tourism Counselor’s Office in Delhi and the Turkish Embassy in India.What do you think makes Turkiye a desirable destination for tourists and India in general?Turkiye is one of the most important tourism countries in the world, ranking 5th in the number of foreign visitors. Last year, over 62 million foreign visitors arrived, generating $61 billion in tourism revenue. This makes tourism crucial for Türkiye and the global tourism sector.Indians prefer Türkiye due to its rich heritage, differentiated destinations, and diversified products. We offer summer holidays, beach resorts, luxury resort hotels, and a wealth of history, culture, gastronomy, and nature. This diversity attracts Indian tourists seeking history, cultural exchange, gastronomy, and new experiences.How does cultural exchange strengthen diplomatic ties between Türkiye and India?Tourism is the activity that brings people together. It’s definitely a cultural exchange. Two countries, two different people, different habits, but they come together, spend time together, and share values and cultural aspects. We have a deep history, with Anatolia being the homeland for three big empires. We have 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and over 70 UNESCO cultural heritage elements. Our cultural heritage invites people from around the world to be part of it, along with modern cultural activities like opera and ballet.Are there any joint tourism initiatives between Türkiye and India?As Ministry and Tourism Promotion Agency, We have collaborated on joint projects and promotion campaigns with tour operators and airlines. Last year, we hosted over 3,500 people from around the world to showcase Türkiye’s heritage, tourism products, and venues.How did COVID affect Turkiye tourism?After COVID, tourism activity globally was severely impacted, but Turkiye was one of the countries that recovered quickly. We revived tourism rapidly due to our prompt implementation of a safe tourism program for hotels, in cooperation with the Ministries concerned. This program ensured hotels met specific criteria, and after the pandemic, we revised it to focus on sustainable tourism, collaborating with the Global Sustainable Tourism Center (GSTC). Each hotel must obtain a sustainable tourism certificate, making it an obligatory process. As a result, Türkiye was one of the fastest countries to regain its pre-pandemic tourism numbers.Where does Türkiye stand in terms of sustainable tourism?Turkiye is a pioneer in sustainable tourism, being the first country to sign an agreement with the Global Sustainable Tourism Center. We prioritise sustainability, recognising its importance in destination selection. It’s crucial for the country and the industry’s long-term survival. We give utmost importance to sustainability, knowing it will significantly impact destination choices in the near future.What are the lesser known places in Türkiye that we are not aware of?The Eastern and Western Anatolian regions, Asian region, and even Antalya. We should promote these areas more. Places like Şanlıurfa, with the 12,000-year-old Göbeklitepe archaeological site, the world’s first settlement or religious settlement. Gaziantep is another important area, rich in history, culture, museums, and ancient cities. The southeastern region is also significant for gastronomy. Additionally, the Black Sea region offers unique experiences. These areas are waiting to be discovered.Tell us about the food culture in TurkiyeTurkish gastronomy is a mixture of regional flavours, agricultural products, and traditions. Sustainability and local products are key. We celebrate Turkish Cuisine Week in May, showcasing our rich cuisine worldwide. Our gastronomy blends Balkan, Middle Eastern, and Caucasian flavours, with regional variations like vegetable dishes with olive oil in the East and soups and meat dishes in the South. We are very rich in gastronomy, which I know is important for Indians. Turkish cuisine is amazing, especially in the Aegean region, where you will find plenty of vegetables cooked with olive oil. We are also famous for our soups.What are the best months to visit Türkiye?For a comfortable climate, spring and autumn are the best times to visit Türkiye, specifically April to November. For city breaks or cultural trips, you can visit anytime, as there are activities throughout the year. If you are interested in winter sports, January, February, and March are the best months.Tell us about the visa process for TurkiyeFor tourism and travel purposes, getting a Turkish visa is easy. If you have a UK, US, or Schengen visa, you can apply for an e-visa, which is online and quick. If not, you will need to apply with a dossier, but our rejection rates are insignificant. If all documents are in order, the process takes five working days, or up to two weeks in some cases. For groups, our counsellors in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi facilitate the process, assigning a staff member to each dossier to ensure it is completed within two weeks.
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