Turkey concluded the first leg of the six-city India Destination Promotion in Kolkata

The Ministry of Culture & Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye and Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) successfully launched their India Destination Promotion Event 2025 with an energetic first leg in Kolkata. The event, hosted at Gallery Hyatt Centric, marked the beginning of an ambitious six-city destination promotion series, bringing together key stakeholders from both countries’ tourism sectors.

The event facilitated productive B2B meetings between Turkish suppliers and Indian travel partners, focusing on key segments including luxury travel, MICE tourism, and wedding destinations. The destination promotion event featured immersive presentations and interactive sessions showcasing Türkiye’s evolving tourism landscape, building upon the previous year’s successful initiatives.

The presence of influential dignitaries, including Onur Gözet, Deputy Director General for Promotion, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, underscored the strategic importance of India-Türkiye tourism relations. The Turkish delegation including Mrs. Basak Onsal Demir, Counsellor for Culture and Tourism at the Embassy of Turkiye and Ms. Cagla Yontem, Director for MICE (Wedding and Incentives) together with around 30 premier tourism partners, representing a diverse mix of destination management companies, luxury hoteliers, and specialised tour operators.

The event’s timing aligns with Türkiye’s growing popularity in the Indian market, evidenced by an impressive 20 percent surge in interest throughout 2024. This growth is reflected in the increased participation from Turkish buyers and industry representatives at the event, demonstrating the destination’s rising appeal among Indian travellers. Adding significant value to the event, Turkish Airlines and IndiGo played crucial roles in supporting the event, reinforcing the robust air connectivity between India and Türkiye. Their involvement emphasises the ongoing commitment to enhancing travel accessibility between the two countries, making Türkiye an increasingly attractive destination for Indian travellers.

Addressing the gathering,  Onur Gözet, Deputy Director General for Promotion, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, said: “Kolkata’s rich cultural heritage makes it the perfect launchpad for our 2025 India destination promotion series. The remarkable growth in Indian visitors to Türkiye last year has inspired us to enhance our offerings further. We’re seeing increasing interest in our lesser-known destinations beyond Istanbul and Cappadocia, and this year’s event will put the spotlight on these hidden gems alongside our iconic locations. Our focus is on creating deeper, more meaningful connections that resonate with the discerning Indian traveller.”

The Kolkata event witnessed participation from over 200 tourism fraternity members of Türkiye and India and cinched the vibrant synergy between both countries. It served as a pivotal platform for showcasing Türkiye’s diverse tourism offerings to the growing Indian travel trade community. The roadshow will continue its journey with subsequent sessions in Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, concluding with a grand finale in Mumbai.