Black Sea Touristic Operators Association (KATİD) President Murat Toktaş talked about the cruise tourism they plan to develop in Samsun and its effects on the region.
Evaluating the visit of the cruise ship to Samsun, Murat Toktaş, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Black Sea Touristic Operators Association (KATİD) and Board Member of the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), stated that there was two years of hard work behind this visit. Toktaş stated that Astoria Grande will make 40 more visits to Samsun in 2024 and that from now on they will strive to make cruise ship tourism permanent for Samsun.
He came to Samsun after two years of effort.
KATİD President Murat Toktaş stated that there was a two-year effort behind the arrival of the Astoria Grande Cruise Ship to Samsun and said, “As an association, we had a work initiated with our previous Governor Zülkif Dağlı for approximately two years. As a result of all these efforts, the first ship docked at Samsun Port about a month ago. “After this, another visit took place,” he said.
Guests left Samsun happy
Emphasizing that the guests who came to Samsun left happily, Murat Toktaş said, “Our dialogues with our guests were very positive. When the feedback we received from the tourists and especially the crew was positive, a final step was taken to continue this. Nearly 40 more Cruise Ships will come to Samsun next year. With this tourism, an average of 800 passengers come to Samsun every time. In addition, approximately 300 crew members are also coming. A total of 1,100 passengers arrive at Samsun at 11:00 in the morning and leave at 21:00 in the evening on the same day. During this period, our tourists visit various tourist areas in Samsun and surrounding provinces. There is a group that specifically visits the Atakum region. Go to shopping malls, there are groups. There are also groups that visit Amasya Rock Tombs for cultural tourism. “Most of the approximately 800 passengers here are scattered around, including Samsun,” he said.
It created a great movement in Samsun and set the agenda
Stating that the cruise ship’s visit to Samsun caused great activity, Toktaş said, “Our guests make eating, drinking and shopping programs. This creates a great dynamism in the city, especially economically. It would be limiting to consider this visit only in terms of its impact on the economy. Because this touristic visit also adds excitement and energy to our city. Thus, we encounter more added value of the process. You’ve seen it too. Our people share the ship’s entry into Samsun Port, anchoring and night lights with videos they shot from their balconies on social media channels. This visit, above all, set the agenda in Samsun. The fact that foreigners were wandering around the city streets shopping and our people came across these guests created motivation. In this sense, it provided a great added value.
Governor Orhan Tavlı made the final touch
Reminding that Samsun Governor Orhan Tavlı made a great effort in the arrival of the cruise ship to Samsun, Toktaş said, “Our esteemed Governor Orhan Tavlı made the final touch on the arrival of this ship to Samsun. With his initiative, the Cruise Ship came to Samsun. “We thank him on behalf of Samsun in this regard,” he said.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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