Canadian World Traveller Spring 2024 Issue

24
Türkiye closes 2023 with
record-breaking tourism figures
Exploring Türkiye’s finest long-distance cycling routes
Are you an avid cyclist looking for an
adventure? Look no further than
Türkiye, where short and long-distance
bike routes offer a unique way to explore the
country's natural beauty, history, food, arts and
culture. The routes include camping and glamping
areas, as well as bike-friendly hotels that
offer bike cleaning and repair services in secure
parking areas. Plus, a wide range of hotels and
hostels have national and international ecolabels
to make your trip even more comfortable.
EuroVelo 8: The 'UNESCO Route' from
Bergama to Ephesus
The first stop on this route is at the forty-fifth kilometre,
which leads to the Ancient City of
Pergamon. This UNESCO World Heritage site
can be accessed through Türkiye's İzmir's Dikili
Port. The route passes through stunning locations
in İzmir, such as İzmir Bird Paradise,
Karşıyaka, Alsancak, Seferihisar, Sığacık, Urla,
and Alaçatı, before concluding in the ancient
city of Ephesus, which is also a UNESCO World
Heritage site. On this 500-kilometre long-distance
route, you can stop in numerous villages
and holiday resorts, observe flamingos while
passing through the Gediz Delta, and enjoy
breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea from the
bike lane that runs through the city centre. You
can also visit historic sites in two ancient cities on
the UNESCO World Heritage List.
'Thrace Route' from Edirne to İstanbul
You can start your tour in Thrace from Edirne, a
region noted for its natural beauty, delicious
food, vineyards, legendary wines and friendly
people. The city, the second capital of the
Ottoman Empire, features historical structures
such as inns, baths, bridges, and palaces and is
the heart of the Thrace region. The Selimiye
Mosque, built by Architect (Mimar) Sinan and
included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in
2011. After Edirne, you can continue to
Kırklareli via lush forest roads. In addition to the
İğneada National Park, which has floodplain
forests, swamps, freshwater lakes and coastal
dunes, the highlights of this picturesque city
include stellar examples of 19th-century
Ottoman civil architecture. İstanbul, the vivid
and vibrant metropolis with its ancient history
and monuments, is the final stop on your bike
journey.
Anatolian Route' from İstanbul to Kayseri
Ride from İstanbul, the world's crossroads, to
Anatolia's heart. From the European side of
İstanbul, the ferry transports you to the
Anatolian side, with stunning views of the
Bosphorus. As you bid farewell to İstanbul's
evocative silhouette, Kocaeli, Sakarya and
Eskişehir welcome you, one after the other. The
historical Odunpazarı district in Eskişehir draws
attention due to its cultural richness and various
museums. With its picturesque traditional houses,
narrow streets, mosques, fountains and
small squares, the district centre was added to
Türkiye's UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
in 2012. In Nevşehir, you are greeted by scenic
Cappadocia, one of the world's most fascinating
geographical regions. You can see the distinctive
Fairy Chimneys throughout the region –
and one of the most thrilling ways to discover
these natural formations is from a hot air balloon.
Kayseri, one of Anatolia's most historic
cities, is the final stop on this route, and it will
captivate you, particularly with its legendary traditional
cuisine.
The Eurasian Route: The Route of the Empire
Another option for long-distance cycling in
Türkiye is the Eurasian Road (Via Eurasia), a
long-distance culture and trekking route. The
route enters Türkiye from Edirne and heads
south, passing through İstanbul and Bursa.
Starting from Beykoz, known for its lush groves,
you can cycle through Poyrazköy and Anadol.
https://goturkiye.com
Türkiye, one of the world's leading tourism
destinations, achieved record-breaking
growth in 2023 by welcoming 56.7 million
international visitors, marking a 10 per cent
increase year-on-year. According to the Turkish
Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the country's
tourism revenue also rose to $54.3 billion, a 17
per cent increase from the previous year.
In 2023, Türkiye was one of Europe's most
sought-after destinations for culture, art, gastronomy,
cycling, religious tourism, as well as sea,
sand, and sun holidays. Building upon this success,
Türkiye aims to attract 60 million tourists
and generate $60 billion in tourism income in
2024. With a focus on market diversity, Türkiye
will continue its efforts in existing markets while
targeting new markets in the coming years.
Leading the Way in Sustainable Tourism
Behind Türkiye’s tourism success lies a strategic
and forward-thinking approach that prioritizes
creating an inviting environment for visitors. The
country has implemented responsible and sustainable
policies, transforming the tourism sector
into a more resilient and inclusive industry.
In 2022, Türkiye became the first country in the
world to sign an agreement with the "Global
Sustainable Tourism Council" (GSTC) at a government
level. The expectations of the Council are
now required across the country’s sector. The
Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Program, resulting
from this cooperation, recognizes and rewards
practitioners of sustainable tourism, enhancing
trust and credibility among visitors. The program
offers diverse and sustainable experiences,
including eco-friendly accommodations, cycling,
and trekking, aiming to foster a deeper connection
between Türkiye’s heritage and its visitors.
Türkiye: A Year-Round, Versatile Destination
Renowned for its unique geographical location,
surrounded by beautiful seas on three sides, and
rich historical heritage, Türkiye stands out as a
year-round and versatile travel paradise. The
country takes bold steps to showcase its tourism
assets to the world, attracting visitors with its
diverse offerings, such as city escapes, sports
activities, international events, and festivals.
https://goturkiye.com
World Traveler Spring 2024