In her opening speech at the Matild Palace hotel, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Hungary, Gülşen Karanis Ekşioğlu, emphasized that the success of the 2024 Turkish–Hungarian Cultural Year has given new momentum to tourism relations between the two countries.
Thanks to over 130 cultural events and the related media appearances — including 26 print, 53 television, and numerous radio features — Turkey took center stage in Hungary in 2024. As a result of press and influencer trips, stunning content about Turkey appeared in leading domestic lifestyle and travel magazines.
“Turkey is no longer known merely as a summer seaside destination, but as a year-round travel option offering rich culture, art, history, and wellness opportunities,” the ambassador highlighted.
More than 250,000 Hungarians traveled to Turkey in 2024, and based on trends from the first quarter of 2025, that number may exceed 280,000 this year. During the same period, Turkey achieved a global milestone, welcoming 8.844 million international visitors and generating USD 9.5 billion in tourism revenue — the strongest first-quarter performance in the country’s history. This year’s goals are to reach 65 million international tourists and USD 64 billion in revenue.
The event aimed to equip Hungarian industry partners with up-to-date information, tools, and inspiration to bring even more Hungarian travelers to Turkey over the next 9–12 months. As the ambassador noted, “This is only the beginning — the first step in a long-term collaboration built on trust and shared cultural values.”
In their presentation, representatives of the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) emphasized the importance of the Hungarian market to Turkey. They also highlighted a growing interest in cultural, gastronomic, wellness, and active tourism in recent years. They pointed out that Turkey is not only a holiday destination but a year-round experiential travel option with diverse opportunities.
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