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Cappadocia Marriott: 60 Milyon Dolarlık Japon-Türk Turizm Yatırımı

Kapadokya, Japon HIS Hotel Holdings (H.H.H) ve Dorak Holding iş birliğiyle 60 milyon dolarlık yatırım sonucunda 5 yıldızlı Cappadocia Marriott oteline kavuştu. 298 odalı, 467 yatak kapasiteli otel, bölgede nitelikli konaklama ihtiyacını karşılamak için yıl sonu gelmeden hizmete açıldı. JAPONYA’DAN İLK DOĞRUDAN TURİZM YATIRIMI Dorak Holding Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Ahmet Serdar Körükçü, bu ortaklıkla Türkiye’ye Japonya’dan ilk doğrudan turizm yatırımının yapıldığını belirtti. Körükçü, "Bu yıl 1 milyar dolar ciro bekliyoruz. 8 otelimizde yıl sonuna kadar 350 bin turist ağırlayacağız. 2018 yılında ortaklığı kurduk ve ‘Türkiye’ye yatırım yapar mısınız?’ dedik. 5 dakika düşündükten sonra ‘Evet yaparız’ cevabını verdiler. 15 dakikada el sıkıştık. 30 milyon dolar Japonlar, 30 milyon dolar da biz yatırdık ve Kapadokya 298 odalı ve 467 yataklı nitelikli konaklama açığını kapaktacak bir otele kavuştu. 2025 yılında dünyadan 400 bin turisti ağırlamayı bekliyoruz" dedi. Pamukkale’de de 60 milyon dolarlık yeni bir otel yatırımı planladıklarını duyurdu. Dorak Holding, 2025’te dünya genelinden 400 bin turist ağırlamayı ve Japon turist sayısını yüzde 50 artırarak 200-250 bine çıkarmayı hedefliyor. Japon hava yolu şirketleri ANA ve JAL’ın da 2025’te Türkiye uçuşlarına başlayacak olması, bu hedefi destekleyecek. "KAPADOKYA'NIN TURİZM POTANSİYELİNE GÜVENDİK" HIS CEO’su Tatsuya Nakamori, yatırımın hızla hayata geçmesinden duyduğu memnuniyeti dile getirerek, "6 yıl önce bu bölgeye geldim. O zaman böyle bir otelin açılabileceğini bile hayal edemezdim. Şimdi ise gerçek oldu. Bizim yaptığımız yatırım, Japonya’dan direkt olarak gelen ilk turizm yatırımı" dedi. Nakamori, "Japonya’da bir atasözü var: ‘Vadi ne kadar derinse dağ o kadar büyük görünür’. Son 6 yılda bizim sektör etkilendi ama 2025 yılından umutluyum. İstanbul’a robot teknolojili bir otel açmayı planlıyoruz. Şu anda 47 otel işletiyoruz, Marriot 48’inci otelimiz oldu. Türkiye’ye ciddi bir turizm potansiyeli olduğu için yatırım yaptık. Yatırımımızın kârlılığını 12 yıl içinde almayı umuyoruz. Bu yıl 2.5 milyar dolar ciro yaptık. Yatırım yaparken Dorak firmasına, Kapadokya’nın turizm potansiyeline güvendik ve çok hızlı karar verdik" sözleriyle yatırımdan beklentilerini de paylaştı.

In Pamukkale, balloons rise daily with 300 tourists

Pamukkale, one of the top destinations for balloon tourism, continues to welcome tourists every month of the year. Balloon pilot İsmail Hiraözlü, providing information about the balloon flights that host approximately 300 tourists daily, said, "Tourists are very happy to see the blend of Pamukkale's whiteness with the sunrise from the air." Pamukkale, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and considered the 8th wonder of the world, offers a visual feast to tourists through its balloon tours. The balloons rise half an hour before sunrise, giving tourists the opportunity to see Pamukkale, Hierapolis, and Laodicea from the air. Balloon pilot İsmail Hiraözlü mentioned that flights continue year-round, stating, "Sometimes flights are canceled depending on the weather conditions. We host approximately 300 tourists daily and expect this year to be even busier." He said, "Currently, we have a significant influx of Russian tour groups. Chinese tourists will also start coming soon." Hiraözlü mentioned that the tourists' reactions have been quite positive, stating, "Our tourists enjoy seeing the travertines, Hierapolis, and sometimes Laodicea from above. We generally host guests from Russia, China, Malaysia, and also Latin groups. During the summer, we mainly accommodate Russian tourists. Our visitors particularly appreciate the beauty of Pamukkale blending with the sunrise."

185,000 People Flew in Cappadocia in Five Months

In Cappadocia, a renowned tourism hub known for its natural, historical, and cultural richness, 185,443 domestic and international tourists participated in balloon tours. Every year, Cappadocia sets new records in the number of tourists visiting its museums and historical sites, and the demand for hot air balloon tours continues to grow daily. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and recognized as the hot air balloon capital of the world, Cappadocia sees increasing interest in its balloon tours. In the first five months of the year, there were 71 days of hot air balloon flights, during which 8,068 balloons took to the skies, allowing 185,443 tourists to enjoy a bird's-eye view of the region. During the same period in 2023, 7,462 hot air balloons flew over 68 days, with 161,912 domestic and international tourists participating in this activity. Tourism operator Mehmet Dinler stated, "Cappadocia is the world capital of hot air balloon flights. According to the data, by the end of the first five months, approximately 180,000 domestic and international guests enjoyed the balloon tours over Cappadocia and Göreme. Compared to the same period last year, there's a 15% increase in numbers. If the favorable weather conditions and passenger numbers continue, we believe we will surpass last year's passenger numbers. Our primary goal is to exceed 650,000 passengers and reach our ideal target of 750,000 passengers. If we achieve this, we will close 2024 with a new record and enter 2025 on a high note." Dinler added, "When we compare 2023 with 2024 in terms of international guests, we see more Indian visitors this year. Additionally, there is an increase in Chinese tourists. We expect a new surge in the Italian market in July and August. So far, everything is going well in Cappadocia tourism." In the Cappadocia region, the number of tourists participating in hot air balloon tours over the years has been: 434,639 in 2014, 498,812 in 2015, 250,000 in 2016, 329,390 in 2017, 537,500 in 2018, 585,582 in 2019, 120,917 in 2020, 388,833 in 2021, 662,443 in 2022, and 615,063 in 2023.

Occupancy in Cappadocia is 70%

The occupancy rate in the Cappadocia region, which is on UNESCO's World Cultural and Natural Heritage list and one of Turkey's important cultural tourism centers, has reached 70%. Tourism professionals said that domestic tourists prefer coastal areas due to the closure of schools and the start of beach tourism. Tourism professional Mehmet Dinler stated, 'June is one of the months with high demand. Due to the extension of the Eid al-Adha holiday to 9 days and it falling within the June calendar, we expect an increase in domestic tourists. We anticipate a surge, especially from the second day of the holiday onwards. During the summer period, domestic tourists' primary preference will be coastal areas. However, due to Cappadocia being centrally located in Turkey, it has been the first choice for visitors moving from east to west and north to south. We foresee that this will also be the case during this holiday. June is one of the popular months for our region. Currently, the average occupancy rate in the accommodation sector is 70% or above. With last-minute reservations during the holiday period, we expect to close June with at least an 80% occupancy rate.'

The world's largest natural skyscraper hosted 90,000 visitors

Uçhisar Castle, one of the most important tourism destinations in the Cappadocia region and also known as the region's largest fairy chimney, continued to attract the attention of local and foreign tourists in the first five months of the year. Located in the Cappadocia region, which hosted approximately 5 million tourists last year and is listed on the UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage List, Uçhisar Castle, the world's largest natural skyscraper, was visited by 92,000 local and foreign tourists in the first five months of the year. Uçhisar Mayor Abdullah Çamcı stated in his remarks, "Uçhisar Castle is a magnificent place located about 400 meters above the ground at the center of Cappadocia. Our guests can enjoy the view of Cappadocia right beneath their feet. In the first five months of this year, we have had 92,000 visitors. We aim to host 400,000 visitors by the end of the year." When you climb Uçhisar Castle, the only place in all of Cappadocia where you can have a panoramic view, you can clearly see the valleys starting from Pigeon Valley all the way to Avanos, Ortahisar Castle, Göreme Town, Göreme Open Air Museum, Swords Valley, Red Valley, Rose Valley, Love Valley, Walnut Grove Valley, Çavuşin, Boztepe, Aktepe, Mount Erciyes, and Mount Hasan.

The April 23rd celebrations kicked off in the sky

In Cappadocia, listed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List, hot air balloons, which offer tourists the opportunity to view Cappadocia from a bird's eye view, were prepared for tours before sunrise. Balloons, adorned with Turkish flags and Atatürk posters by officials to commemorate the 104th anniversary of the establishment of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children's Day, took off one after another as the sun rose. Balloon pilot Ibrahim Dasdeler said, "Just like every year, we will celebrate April 23rd in the sky with Turkish flags. Hopefully, this tradition, which we celebrate with enthusiasm, will continue every year." Seval Cirakli, who came from Eskisehir for a holiday in Cappadocia, stated, "There is a visual feast. That's why we are very excited. Today being April 23rd is also very important." Kardelen Cirakli added, "Today is April 23rd, we came to Cappadocia and are watching the balloons. It's a very enthusiastic day for us, and also an exciting day for me. This place is very beautiful. If anyone wants to come, I definitely recommend it." 10-year-old Mahmut Emin Özacar said, "I'm glad they made today. Because we are having fun. My happiest day is April 23rd. I thank Atatürk for giving us this day as a gift." Teacher Berivan Tilki also stated, "I come from Adana to see Cappadocia. I am also a teacher. It is our duty to raise good generations. Happy National Sovereignty and Children's Day."

Three out of the ten most visited museums in Turkey are located in Cappadocia

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy shared on his social media accounts the most visited museums and historical sites in Turkey during the first quarter of the year. In his post, Ersoy stated that museums and historical sites in Turkey welcomed nearly 4 million visitors in the first three months of the year. Three out of the top ten most visited museums are located in the Cappadocia region. Among the significant tourist destinations in Cappadocia, the Göreme Open Air Museum ranked 4th. The Zelve Open Air Museum followed at 5th place, while the Kaymaklı Underground City secured the 10th spot. According to Minister Ersoy's announcement, the most visited museum in Turkey was the Mevlana Museum in Konya. Pamukkale and Ephesus archaeological sites also secured their place among the most visited historical sites. The Göreme Open Air Museum in the Cappadocia region ranked 4th, while the Zelve Open Air Museum claimed the 5th position. The list continued with the Ankara Republic Museum at 6th place, the Istanbul Archaeology Museum at 7th, and the Galata Tower in Istanbul at 8th. Şanlıurfa's Göbeklitepe followed at 9th place, while the Kaymaklı Underground City in Nevşehir entered the top 10 list for the first three months of the year. Nevşehir Governor Ali Fidan also expressed his pride in a statement to journalists, saying, "According to the data announced by our Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Göreme Open Air Museum, Zelve Archaeological Site, and Kaymaklı Underground City have entered the top ten most visited museums in Turkey. We are proud of this achievement. We hope to have even more places in the top ten.

The world's second-largest canyon hosted 600,000 visitors in 2023

Ihlara Valley, located in Aksaray, known as the gateway to Cappadocia and the world's second-largest canyon, hosted 600,000 local and foreign tourists in 2023. Aksaray, hosting various civilizations with its historical and cultural heritage, sees an increasing number of visitors to Ihlara Valley each year. Ihlara Valley, the world's second-largest canyon valley, and its 382-step staircase descending over 14 kilometers, attract attention not only for its natural beauty but also for the hundreds of plants and creatures it harbors. Formed by the lava eruptions from Mount Hasan, the natural canyon valley of Ihlara houses 105 churches and approximately 10,000 caves. With the Melendiz Stream flowing through it, Ihlara Valley, which encompasses all natural beauties, continues to be a focal point for domestic and foreign tourists, with 600,000 people visiting the valley in 2023.

A new breath for Erciyes and Cappadocia tourism

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, in a written statement, expressed that they have introduced a project that will significantly enhance the industrial, commercial, and tourism potential of the region. He mentioned that with the new terminal building, the annual passenger capacity has been increased from 2.5 million to 6 million. A FRESH BREATH FOR ERCIYES AND CAPPADOCIA TOURISM Minister Uraloğlu pointed out that the construction of the new terminal building and apron at Kayseri Airport, which is the second-largest in the Central Anatolia Region after Esenboğa Airport, ranks 11th in terms of overall passenger numbers in Turkey, and is 7th in international passenger traffic, began on November 12, 2020. He highlighted that the new area, covering a total of 51 thousand square meters, not only increases passenger capacity but also aligns parking, transportation, and comfort areas with the region's potential. Uraloğlu stated that the apron area at Kayseri Airport has been expanded from 43 thousand square meters to 132,500 square meters, saying, "This way, considering the growing demand for Erciyes and Cappadocia tourism in the coming period and taking into account the region's trade volume, we have overcome a significant obstacle in terms of the region's air traffic and transportation, especially for Kayseri." The aircraft parking positions have increased from 9 to 16. Minister Uraloğlu stated that the new terminal building will serve as a common terminal for both domestic and international flights, saying, "Our terminal will be opened for service as soon as possible. The number of aircraft parking positions has increased from 9 to 16. Thanks to the 6 passenger bridges in the new terminal building, passengers will be able to reach the new domestic and international terminals seamlessly. With the newly constructed open and closed parking areas, an additional capacity of 831 vehicles has been added, allowing a total of 1,311 vehicles to benefit simultaneously."