İZMİR / Anadolu

Turkey's Aegean Sea ports received 504,711 passengers out of a total of 756,455 who arrived in Turkey on cruise ships between January and June of this year.

According to information compiled by an Anadolu reporter from the data of the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, the Aegean region maintained its position as the most preferred destination by global cruise lines, thanks to its historical and cultural heritage, advanced port infrastructure, and strategic location on Mediterranean routes.

The number of cruise passengers arriving at Turkish ports in the first half of this year reached 756,455.

Photo: Fırat Özdemir/AA

Of these, 504,711 entered via the ports of Kuşadası (Aydın province), İzmir, Çeşme (İzmir province), Bodrum, and Marmaris (Muğla province), with the Aegean ports' share of total passenger traffic reaching about 67% of the total passengers arriving at Turkish ports.

Kuşadası maintained its status as the busiest cruise port in Turkey, receiving 334,172 passengers, followed by Istanbul in second place with 182,621 passengers.

İzmir port hosted 59,049 passengers, Marmaris 54,691, Bodrum 41,545, while Çeşme port received 15,254 passengers.

Photo: Fırat Özdemir/AA

In an interview with Anadolu, Nilada Türey, General Manager of the cruise company 'Selectum Blue Cruise,' explained that the vast majority of ships coming to Turkey prefer the Aegean region.

Türey noted that Kuşadası has been the most preferred and popular port in Turkey and the Aegean region for many years.

She added that Kuşadası holds an important position as the region includes the ancient city of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary, attracting many tourists.