Record in cruise tourism: 357,000 passengers welcomed in August

Turkey broke a new record in cruise tourism. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu shared the August 2025 cruise statistics prepared by the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs with the public.

Minister Uraloğlu said, "Cruise tourism peaked in August. This month saw the highest number of cruises of the year, with 203 ships, and we broke the record for the highest number of passengers in August, with 357,646 passengers."

Increase in the number of ships and passengers

According to the statement, the number of cruise ships calling at ports in August 2025 increased by 15.3% compared to the same month last year, reaching 203. Passenger numbers also increased by 16.8%, reaching 357,646 . This figure was the highest passenger count for any month of August to date.

In the January-August period, the number of ships increased by 16.6% compared to the previous year, reaching 878 , and the number of passengers increased by 18.4%, reaching 1,416,398 .

Kuşadası is in first place

Kuşadası was the port that hosted the most cruise passengers in August.

• Kuşadası Port: 84 ships – 162,316 passengers

• Istanbul Ports: 41 ships – 109,453 passengers

• Bodrum Port: 22 ships – 27,575 passengers

• Other ports: 56 ships – 58,302 passengers

In the January-August period, Kuşadası Port topped the list with 400 ships and 679,246 passengers . It was followed by Istanbul Ports (168 ships, 410,577 passengers) and Bodrum Port (76 ships, 95,122 passengers) .