SAEDNEWS:Turkey, due to its proximity to Iran and easy accessibility, is a top destination for many Iranian travelers. The significant increase in the number of Iranians choosing this country for tourism has prompted us to highlight the main reasons behind the popularity of these trips.
According to the Tourism Service of Saed News Analytical News Website, in recent years, Turkey has become one of the main destinations for Iranians for tourism, investment, work, and study. During the first nine months of 2023, approximately 39.2 million foreign tourists visited Turkey, of which 1.9 million were Iranian travelers. There are several reasons for this significant influx of Iranian tourists, which we outline below.
Turkey is among the most budget-friendly travel destinations. Restaurants offer meals at reasonable prices, and accommodations are more affordable compared to European countries. Additionally, the country features numerous free attractions. For example, hotels vary in price, allowing travelers to extend their stay and explore more extensively. Various government tourism packages are designed to attract large numbers of tourists at lower prices, ensuring broad accessibility.
Halal food is an important factor for Iranian visitors. Most restaurants in Turkey offer diverse menus, allowing travelers to choose according to their preferences. Across the country, there are exceptional restaurants serving flavorful meats, freshly baked bread, and a wide variety of salads and dishes. Some of the most beloved Turkish foods include kebab and baklava, while fresh seafood, appetizers, and hearty traditional breakfasts continue to attract tourists repeatedly.
Turkey is renowned for its fashion and apparel industry, ranking as the second-largest clothing supplier in Europe. Turkish clothing brands have become increasingly popular in Iran, with not only traders but also ordinary travelers importing garments during short trips. Reasons for shopping in Turkey include competitive prices, innovative designs, high quality, and adherence to international standards. Additionally, some European brands unavailable in Iran have driven Iranians to Turkey for purchases.
Turkey offers a wide variety of recreational activities. Popular experiences include boating, Turkish baths, stunning beaches in Bodrum, Antalya, Izmir, and Fethiye, hiking near coastal mountains, special beach festivals, and hot air balloon rides over Cappadocia. Outdoor activities provide endless entertainment for tourists throughout their trips.
Five-star hotels in Turkey are available at reasonable prices and often include traditional entertainment, Turkish baths, and gourmet dining. Even luxury ski resorts, such as a four-star ski hotel in Erzurum, offer summer prices comparable to mid-range hotels in Iran, making Turkey highly attractive for tourists.
One of the main reasons Iranians travel to Turkey is that no visa is required. For a Turkish tour, travelers only need a passport valid for at least six months. Iranians can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days without a visa or residence permit.
Turkey’s airline network is another draw, with 280 destinations across 110 countries and partnerships with 40 global airlines. Combined with the high quality and competitive pricing of Turkish airlines, this makes the country especially convenient for Iranians seeking direct or connecting flights.
For history enthusiasts, Turkey offers numerous ancient sites. The country hosts 28 archaeological sites, reflecting some of the world’s oldest civilizations. Visitors can explore ruins and historical sites in Ephesus, Antalya, Ani, Troy, Göbekli Tepe, and Cappadocia’s underground cities, as well as Istanbul’s palaces and stunning mosques.
Turkey’s government provides full support to tourism service providers through tax exemptions, subsidies, and financial facilities for infrastructure development, including hotels, resorts, and aviation networks. Policies to attract both domestic and international investment are actively implemented. Tourism planning in Turkey goes beyond the ministry level and is addressed at the Cabinet level, making tourism a central component of national development strategies.
