Turkey / Save 1,200 yuan with e-visa, but tourism industry takes cautious view on market growth

Reported by Hong Ling-Ju / Taipei

The Spice Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Istanbul — cross-continental Turkey has shown great potential in the tourism market in recent years, attracting nearly 30 million foreign tourists annually and ranking as the world’s sixth-largest tourist destination. Although Taiwanese travelers can now save 1,200 yuan in application fees thanks to the introduction of the e-visa, the lack of direct flights from Taiwan and limited seat availability mean that travel agencies remain reserved about the growth potential of Taiwan’s outbound market to Turkey.

▲ Taking a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s unique rock formations is one of the hottest travel experiences in Turkey recently. (Photo / Provided by Lion Travel)

Liu Chun-yu, PR representative of Lion Travel, said that around 500 to 3,000 Taiwanese visit Turkey each year, with the peak travel season being from April to October. As the local culture resembles that of Europe, the main traveler demographics are retirees, public sector employees, and young adults. Especially after Turkey switched to an e-visa system, not only has the application process been simplified, but the cost has also dropped from the original 1,800 yuan to 600 yuan, which helps boost interest among those who enjoy long-haul travel. However, at this stage, flight availability to Turkey is still limited, mainly via Malaysia Airlines and Turkish Airlines, with connections in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong respectively. Therefore, the extent of market growth remains to be seen.

To explore Turkey’s historic and cultural cities, Lion Travel’s summer tour package “Saffron Route Turkey 10-Day Tour” starts from 65,900 yuan (tax included), visiting Istanbul, the Saffron Capital, the City of Rocks, Pamukkale Hot Springs, and the Troy UNESCO World Heritage Site. Holders of valid teacher or student IDs can enjoy an additional 1,000 yuan discount on the tour fee. The “Troy, Pamukkale Hot Springs, Rock City, Antalya 11-Day Tour” starts from 77,900 yuan (tax included), featuring direct flights from Hong Kong to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines, with one domestic connecting flight and dual entry points, saving half a day for a smoother travel experience.