Whether it’s politics, society, economy, history, culture, sports, or even gastronomy, attention is usually focused on metropolises and larger cities with their historical and cultural landmarks, or popular summer destinations frequently featured in daily news, media, and social networks.

This also applies to the story of Türkiye, a country rich with both well-known and hidden historical and cultural treasures, especially in regions that often remain in the shadow of Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, and coastal tourist hubs like Antalya and Alanya. These places, with their landscapes, history, and culture, seem to suspend time and transport visitors to the very roots of early civilization.

Türkiye is a unique land where green and blue mountains and seas meet, bridging Asia and Europe. The country offers visitors a distinctive experience in every corner at the crossroads of continents.

Located at the heart of the Mediterranean, with its vast landscapes, Türkiye offers an astonishing blend of cultures, scenery, and traditions, a “perfect symphony for every curious soul in search of an unforgettable travel experience.”

With its natural beauty, seas, lakes, rich past, and countless traces of ancient civilizations, newly discovered cities, temples, monuments, and religious sites with artifacts, documents, and testimonies of bygone eras, Türkiye is among the world’s top four most visited countries, attracting over 60 million tourists annually.

What also sets Türkiye apart is its gastronomy, renowned for its preparation, variety, and distinctive flavors and aromas. Traditional venues offering Turkish specialties, warm hospitality, and famous delicacies displayed in dazzling, colorful windows make its culinary scene truly unique.

Türkiye – A Global Tourism Destination

With its Black Sea coast, Türkiye has been chosen by National Geographic’s travel experts as one of the “Best of the World” destinations for 2026.

Despite global geopolitical challenges, Türkiye continues to achieve sustainable growth in tourism, focusing strategically on diversifying destinations, experiences, and source markets—with the goal of becoming the world’s third most important tourism destination.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) promote the country in over 200 nations to attract visitors from all over the world.

Sustainable Tourism – A Strategic Commitment

Türkiye’s Sustainable Tourism Program, established through an agreement with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), positions the country as a global leader in sustainable tourism. Türkiye is the first nation in the world to sign a government-level agreement with the GSTC to develop a national sustainable tourism program.

Certified facilities display the GSTC logo, and all are listed on the official tourism platform GoTürkiye. The program’s goal is for all accommodation facilities in Türkiye to align with global sustainability standards by 2030.

Türkiye already leads globally in sustainable gastronomy, thanks to its natural resources and traditional recipes, and continues to strengthen its sustainable culinary sector.

Türkiye ranks third in the world for the number of Blue Flag beaches, while Antalya remains the city with the most Blue Flags worldwide. The country is also among the top two nations with the most UNESCO listings, with 31 items on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

The program rewards true practitioners of sustainable tourism and builds trust and credibility among visitors. Through it, Türkiye not only fulfills commitments under international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord but also serves as a global model for transforming tourism in a sustainable direction.

Developed according to international standards, the program encourages continuous improvement of tourism facilities and destinations, showing that Türkiye is not just an ideal “sun, sea, and sand” destination, but also one rich in cultural, historical, and thematic experiences.

Strengthening Tourism Ties with the Balkans and Eastern Europe

Türkiye is one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations, welcoming millions of visitors each year. In 2024, it hosted 62.3 million tourists and generated $61.1 billion in tourism revenue, the most successful year in the history of the Turkish tourism sector.

According to the UN World Tourism Organization, Türkiye ranks among the world’s top four destinations by number of international arrivals, a testament to its long-term vision and comprehensive tourism strategy.

Market diversity remains a key pillar of Türkiye’s approach, with every destination connected by Turkish Airlines seen as a potential source market. Among these, Eastern European countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia, stand out as strategic tourism partners. Türkiye’s appeal in Eastern Europe continues to grow steadily.

According to the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), Türkiye is among the most desirable destinations for visitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Especially for summer vacations, Türkiye, led by Antalya on the Turkish Riviera, remains a favorite for Bosnian tourists.

Beyond its natural beauty, historical heritage, and diverse tourism offerings, from religious routes to culinary destinations, Türkiye’s proximity, frequent flights, and cultural ties make it an especially attractive choice for Bosnians and Herzegovinians.

Recently, mutual tourism traffic between the two countries reached record levels. In 2024, Türkiye welcomed 197,388 visitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, while in the first eight months of 2025, 136,576 Bosnian tourists traveled to Türkiye.

The Hidden Treasure of Western Anatolia

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the TGA recently organized a press trip for journalists from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia, including FENA, to highlight Türkiye’s cultural, historical, and natural heritage, with a focus on the hidden gems of Western Anatolia, specifically the cities of Denizli, Uşak, and Isparta.

The name Denizli means “with the sea” in Turkish, though the city lies inland. Renowned for its textile industry, Denizli’s most famous attraction is Pamukkale, one of the country’s most significant cultural and natural landmarks. The Pamukkale travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis are inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Uşak, once home to ancient civilizations and globally known for its traditional carpets, enchants visitors with its natural beauty. Isparta, birthplace of former Turkish President Süleyman Demirel, is not only rich in historical monuments but also known as the “City of Roses,” famed for its lavender fields and lush rose gardens.

All three cities offer a unique glimpse into Western Anatolia, an authentic side of Türkiye far from the usual tourist postcards, leaving lasting impressions and unforgettable memories for visitors from all continents.

(FENA) S. R.