Türkiye is reinforcing its position as a strategic hub in global cruise tourism as passenger numbers hit record levels worldwide and demand continues to grow across the Mediterranean, according to industry data and officials.
Global cruise passenger numbers reached 37.2 million in 2025, marking an all-time high, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.
The association's latest Cruise Industry Status Report projects that global cruise passengers will rise to 38.3 million in 2026 and nearly 42 million by 2029, driven by expanding fleet capacity and sustained consumer demand.
Mediterranean demand drives growth
Industry expansion is being led by strong demand in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Asia-Pacific regions, with the Mediterranean alone hosting 5.96 million passengers in 2025.
