Conflicts between Israel and Hamas also negatively affected regional tourism. Cruises voyaging to the Eastern Mediterranean turned their route to Turkey. The ships are expected to arrive at the ports of Istanbul, Izmir, Kuşadası, Marmaris and Bodrum. While 12 ships have made reservations for Izmir alone, it was reported that 30 thousand tourists will visit the city.
International cruise lines operating Eastern Mediterranean voyages changed their routes to the Aegean when their voyages to the Israeli Haifa Port were canceled due to the conflicts in Israel and Palestine and the latest developments.
Cruise ships added Kuşadası, İzmir, Marmaris and Bodrum ports in the Aegean Region to their routes.
Yusuf Öztürk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Shipping (DTO) Izmir Branch, stated that due to the voyage change, cruise ships will come not only to Izmir but also to the ports in Istanbul, Marmaris and Bodrum, and that 12 ships have made reservations for Izmir Port.
Korhan Bilgin, President of Izmir Cruise and Sea Tourism Association, said that the ships coming to Izmir will bring 30 thousand passengers; “We cannot speak so precisely for Kuşadası Port because October is already one of the busiest months for Kuşadası Port. "2-3 ships arrive almost every day, so the port is full according to its capacity."
Stating that some companies working in these ports may become a habit in the coming years, Bilgin said, “Not many ships go to the Eastern Mediterranean region. Even if they come, they prefer the ports of Israel and Southern Cyprus. For this reason, we are happy that Fethiye, Alanya and Marmaris will buy ships.”