THY shifts its focus to Asia and America for high-quality tourists
Chairman of Turkish Airlines (THY), Ahmet Bolat, stated that they aimed to attract high-spending tourists from Asia and the Americas to Turkey. Speaking during the Osaka EXPO 2025, hosted by Japan, Bolat explained that their goal is to draw affluent tourists from Asia and America. He added that by 2033, they aim to bring 15 million tourists from 11 different countries and generate $45 billion in revenue.
Targeting fivefold growth
At the promotional event in Osaka, Bolat noted that last year, 3.3 million tourists had come to Turkey from the USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, and South Korea. They aim to increase this figure fivefold. Bolat emphasized that visitors interested in cultural and gastronomic tourism spend an average of $3,000 per person, making this segment an important economic asset for both Turkey and Turkish Airlines.
Strong interest in Turkey at the EXPO
Bolat said that Turkey had become a focal point of interest during the six-month-long EXPO 2025 event. “In the first seven days, 600,000 people visited the expo. The Turkey pavilion was one of the most visited areas,” he stated. The promotional night organized by THY was attended by Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, Japanese diplomats, tourism agencies, and business representatives.
“We follow a peace-focused promotional policy”
Bolat emphasized that Japanese tourists prioritize safety when choosing travel destinations. He noted that a Turkey free from terrorism holds strategic importance in growing this market. “We believe that we can attract significantly more tourists from Japan, China, and South Korea if we provide a secure environment,” said Bolat, adding that peace is at the center of their promotional strategy.
Profitability warning in aviation
Bolat also touched upon the global aviation industry’s current stagnation and low profitability. “Americans revised their travel plans, and we felt the impact of the snow crisis in February. However, we recovered in April and will stay on track with our 2025 goals,” he said. THY earns only $14 profit per passenger, Bolat noted, highlighting the importance of profitability for the sustainability of an industry operating on low margins. He also mentioned that while THY had grown by 13.2% over the past 20 years, the company expects a growth rate of around 7.7% over the next decade.
Roadmap for the Japanese market
Bolat shared insights into THY’s operations in Japan, noting that they had flown to Tokyo and Osaka since 1989. In 2024, the airline transported 400,000 passengers from Japan and targets reaching 550,000 this year. He stated that in the first three months of 2025, they had already carried 130,000 passengers and aim to reach 1 million annually from Japan by 2033.
Promoting Anatolia’s cultural heritage
Bolat said that Turkey’s promotional campaigns center on the historical heritage of Anatolia. “The first village, first city, first state, and first empire were founded in Anatolia,” he said. They are working to add more sites to the 22 currently on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and present Turkey as a crossroads of civilizations.
