Dubai, UAE: Turkish Airlines, Türkiye’s national flag carrier, recently brought together tourism professionals in Izmir. The event focused on promoting the Aegean region, including the ancient city of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This initiative is part of Turkish Airlines’ broader effort to showcase the country’s diverse cultural and historical treasures. Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Turkish Airlines has grown significantly, now operating a fleet of 483 passenger and cargo aircraft. As a Star Alliance member, it serves 353 destinations across 131 countries.
Prior to the Izmir gathering, approximately 200 senior executives from major tour operators, representing 90 cities worldwide, visited Afyon and Denizli. This program introduced them to less-explored areas of Türkiye, aiming to further enrich their understanding of the country’s tourism potential.
Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, thanked the participating stakeholders, travel agencies, and business partners. He noted their contributions to showcasing Türkiye’s cultural and historical sites, emphasizing their crucial role in this mission.
The “Connect to Türkiye” initiative began in New York in 2022. Its aim is to strengthen Türkiye’s international presence and support regional tourism. These events have since expanded globally, with the latest taking place in Osaka in April 2025. In 2024, tourism agency executives also convened in Istanbul to explore Türkiye’s extensive offerings.
Turkish Airlines is a key member of Star Alliance, the first truly global airline alliance, founded in 1997. Star Alliance was created to offer customers global reach, recognition, and seamless service. The alliance provides an extensive airline network, with a focus on improving the customer experience throughout the entire journey. The Star Alliance network includes 26 member airlines, such as Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and United, among others. Together, these airlines operate 17,837 daily flights to over 1,160 airports in 192 countries, with further connections provided by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.
