Türkiye's Culture Route Festivals, organized to contribute to the country's international brand value, are being held in 26 cities this year. The event held in Nevşehir from August 1 to 9 was the 12th stop on the festival calendar.
In Cappadocia, the program featured concerts as well as exhibitions, talks, workshops, food and beverage venues, and children's activities. Events addressing different age groups throughout the day increased the interest of domestic and international tourists in the region.
Balloon festival increased tourist numbers
The International Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Festival, held as part of the program, also contributed to the increased activity in the region. Specially shaped balloons from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Brazil, Slovakia, Austria and Poland participated in the event, alongside balloons from Türkiye.
Teyfik Ölmez, president of the Cappadocia Hoteliers and Tourism Operators Association, said visitor numbers increased during the festival. Ölmez noted that accommodation facilities and businesses providing food and beverage services experienced strong demand.
Ölmez said there was a significant increase, particularly on August 1 and 2, in customers arriving without prior appointments or registration, as well as in last-minute reservations. He stated that the festival made an important contribution to the region during the tourism season.
Ölmez said the events also supported local businesses during the day, adding that visitor numbers increased during concerts and that many visitors sought accommodation to spend the night in Cappadocia. He said the events supported the food and beverage sector and contributed to promoting Cappadocia, particularly in the domestic market.
Ölmez said Cappadocia was a world-renowned center for hot-air ballooning and that companies from different countries had shown interest in the festival in the region.
Occupancy at one hotel reached 70%
Mustafa Öztürk, an accommodation facility operator, said the number of guests at his facility had increased from the first day of the festival. Öztürk said events in Avanos, Ürgüp and Göreme had increased interest, adding that occupancy at his facility reached 70%.
Öztürk said accommodation demand increased because visitors coming to the region for the festival also wanted to explore Cappadocia. Travel agency operator Mehmet Uçman said visitors from different cities across Türkiye joined tour activities during their free time outside the events, supporting tourism activity in the region.
Festival calendar to continue in 15 cities
Following Nevşehir, Türkiye's Culture Route Festivals will be held in Malatya, Erzurum, Ordu, Çanakkale, Kayseri, Kahramanmaraş, Ankara, Istanbul, Gaziantep, Diyarbakır, Mardin, İzmir, Antalya and Adana.
