North Macedonia aims to become a year-round destination for Turkish visitors, offering a range of tourism options centered on the capital Skopje and Ohrid, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to its ease of access from Türkiye and cultural ties, the country stands out for nature, history and gastronomy tourism.
North Macedonia’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Sedat Sulejmani assessed Turkish tourists’ interest in the country and the destination’s potential for the coming period. Sulejmani said visitors from Türkiye do not feel like foreigners because of the cultural ties between the two countries, highlighting the shared history of their peoples.
Cultural activities’ contribution to tourism
Sulejmani said he had visited Türkiye many times, had relatives there and graduated from the Faculty of Theology at Bursa Uludağ University in 2002. He added that he met his wife during his university years.
Sulejmani said Turkish television series had increased interest in North Macedonia, adding that the villages where the series “Farewell Rumelia” was filmed had attracted visitors’ curiosity. Sulejmani said the country is home to numerous Ottoman monuments and noted that Skopje was conquered in 1392, adding that visitors from Türkiye feel a connection to the country because of this shared history.
Joint events planned with TÜRKSOY
A cooperation protocol signed between North Macedonia and TÜRKSOY is expected to contribute to promotion aimed at Turkish tourists and to visitor numbers. The protocol provides for joint festivals, cultural events and seminars with Türkiye, as well as hosting Turkish writers and artists in North Macedonia.
Sulejmani also said they were carrying out joint projects with Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and various associations. He said the North Macedonian delegation plans to meet with Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy in Ankara on September 22 to discuss future joint projects.
Ohrid and ski resorts to attract visitors year-round
Efforts are under way to ensure that tourism activity in the country is not limited to the summer months. Ohrid, under UNESCO protection, is being promoted as a year-round destination for its lake and natural beauty, as well as its historic houses, monuments and gastronomic offerings.
Sulejmani said Struga, alongside Ohrid, was also important for tourism and noted that the city has historic sites that can be visited in winter. He said the trout from Lake Ohrid, which he described as not being found elsewhere in Europe, would be promoted as part of gastronomy tourism.
For winter tourism, Popova Šapka in the Šar Mountains near Tetovo and the ski resort in Mavrovo are being highlighted. Sulejmani said Šar Mountains National Park was also a preferred destination for hiking and hosted visitors from Europe.
