EMITT – Eastern Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Fair, one of the most important meetings of the global tourism sector, held between February 5-7, hosted sector representatives from all over the world in Istanbul this year. Participating in the fair with the aim of strengthening tourism cooperation between Türkiye and Spain, Mr. Gonzalo Ceballos, Tourism Counselor of Spain, made important contacts within the scope of the event and evaluated the tourism mobility between the two countries.
Ceballos, who met with TÜRSAB President Firuz Bağlıkaya at the fair, stated that tourism activity between Turkey and Spain has increased every year. Ceballos said that after the pandemic, Turkish tourists' interest in Spain has revived and even exceeded pre-pandemic levels. He stated that the number of Turkish tourists visiting Spain in 2024 exceeded 600.000, and this figure was 2023 in 340.000. Spanish airports have hosted more than 2024 million passengers arriving from Turkey on direct flights as of 1.
Great Impetus for Tourism with New Flight Routes…
Ceballos emphasized that the increase in direct flights between the two countries has greatly contributed to tourism. As of 2024, the new flight routes have been put into operation as follows:
• Pegasus Airlines launched the Istanbul-Seville route and operates five flights per week.
• Vueling operates three flights per week between Istanbul and Barcelona.
• Air Europa will make its flights from Istanbul to Madrid daily from four per week as of July.
Thanks to new airline connections, it is expected that tourism will become more active and cultural and economic ties between the two countries will be strengthened.
Condolence and Support Message from Ceballos to Hatay…
Following his evaluations, Ceballos visited the Hatay stand at the fair and shared his condolences and solidarity message with the Hatay Mayor on the second anniversary of the earthquake.
Spain's Sustainable Tourism Vision…
On the second day of the EMITT Fair, Gonzalo Ceballos, Spain’s Tourism Counselor, participated in a panel on tourism and sustainability. In his speech, he emphasized that Spain’s sustainable tourism strategies contribute greatly not only to the country’s economy, but also to employment, local development and family economies:
“The sustainable tourism strategies in place in Spain have a positive impact not only on our national economy, but also on employment, local and family economies. The ‘Fair Hotels’ initiative, carried out in collaboration with trade unions, and the mechanisms that support local destinations to offer a more sustainable experience are of great importance.”
Returning to Istanbul with the Mayor of Seville!
Mr. Ceballos will be in Istanbul again with the Mayor of Seville on February 25-26. He will participate in events to promote Pegasus Airlines' Seville-Istanbul route.
Spain is delighted to welcome Turkish tourists and aims to further develop these strong tourism ties in 2025.
