Turkey’s Appeal: The Story Behind the Record-Breaking 62.2 Million Visitors
Agatics Edit, a colleague from our Premio PR division, spoke on Világgazdaság’s online business portal podcast, Óperencia, about the significance of Turkish-Hungarian cooperation, the strengthening of cultural ties, and their impact on tourism.
Turkey is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Hungarian travelers, with HotelPremio Group playing a key role in this trend. Our company is not only involved in organizing domestic events promoting Turkey but also actively serves as a bridge for Turkish culture through our Premio PR division. As the PR agency for the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Year 2024, we contributed to introducing more Hungarians to Turkey’s captivating geographical and cultural assets.
Strengthening Cultural Ties: The “100 Years of Friendship and Cooperation” Initiative
Under the slogan “100 Years of Friendship and Cooperation,” more than 160 events promoting Turkish culture took place across Hungary last year, with the HotelPremio Group PR division overseeing communication efforts. The initiative brought cultural programs to 14 different Hungarian cities, featuring around 1,000 Turkish artists, craftsmen, academics, writers, and experts.
In the VG online podcast episode, our representative delved into the details of these cultural programs, the impact of joint events, and unique aspects of Turkish gastronomy—including traditional tea and coffee culture as well as dining customs, which are among the finest expressions of Turkish hospitality.
The Impact of Turkish-Hungarian Communication Strategy in Numbers
Last year’s event series attracted more than one million Hungarian visitors and significantly contributed to boosting Hungarian tourism. In the first ten months of 2024, the number of Turkish tourists visiting Hungary increased by 15%. The influence of the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Year was also reflected in Turkish tourism statistics: in 2024, more than 250,000 Hungarians traveled to Turkey—marking a 13.38% increase compared to the previous year.
Our Premio PR division’s work was part of a comprehensive communication strategy aimed at introducing more Hungarians to Turkey’s beauty and unique experiences. Thanks to our communication efforts, even those outside the traditional target audience have discovered Turkey’s cultural and natural wonders.
Turkey: A Unique Travel Destination Among the World’s Best
It is no coincidence that Turkey is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Its rich history, fascinating culture, unrivalled natural beauty and world-famous hospitality attract tens of millions of visitors every year. Last year, the country had a record year with more than 62 million tourists, generating $61.1 billion in revenue and making it one of the top five most visited countries in the world.
Among the most popular Turkish cities, Istanbul offers a unique historical and cultural experience at the crossroads of East and West. The famous balloons, unearthly rock formations and cave dwellings of Cappadocia, as well as the golden sandy beaches and charming old town of Antalya, are sure to impress visitors.
Sea, Sand, Sun – A Turkish Holiday Like No Other
Turkey is one of Europe’s most exotic countries, and fortunately it is easily accessible from Hungary. The famous ‘Sea, Sand, Sun’ trifecta – sandy beaches, glorious sunshine and crystal clear sea water – makes it the perfect place to relax in all seasons. What’s more, you can now travel from Hungary without a visa and with just an ID card, making the country even more attractive.
The year-on-year increase in interest and the ever-expanding tourism opportunities show that there is still great potential for strengthening Turkish-Hungarian relations. And the marketing and PR power of the destination is demonstrated by the fact that an annual coordinated communication strategy and a series of events can make a significant contribution to boosting mutual tourism between the two countries.
At HotelPremio Group, we are proud that our PR and communication services have helped more people discover Turkey’s unique beauty and magical experiences.
