Spaniards' interest in Türkiye rises sharply due to Turkish TV series, health tourism

By Senhan Bolelli

MADRID (AA) - Spaniards’ interest in Türkiye increased nearly fourfold compared with last year due to the popularity of Turkish TV series and health tourism.

The growing interest in Spain in Turkish TV series particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic has reflected positively on Türkiye’s tourism sector.

"Turkish TV series and health tourism have had a positive impact on both Turkish Airlines and tourism in Türkiye," Numan Cizmecioglu, Turkish Airlines' General Manager in Madrid, told Anadolu Agency.

Cizmecioglu said Turkish TV series have been gaining popularity in Spain day by day and are now the most-watched shows on Spanish television.

"We have witnessed the extent of the interest in Turkish TV series in our sector. While Spanish people are getting information about Türkiye or buying (airline) tickets, we are asked questions such as 'Where are these TV series shot?' and 'Can we visit there?'," he said.

"We also heard that some tourism agencies take Spanish tourists to places where TV series are shot in Türkiye."

Touching on another factor that increased Türkiye’s popularity among Spaniards, health tourism, Cizmecioglu said: "In the first place, the Turkish market for hair transplantation became very popular among Spanish people. In the meantime, they realized how high the quality of the health service is in Türkiye and how affordable the prices are that are offered to them."

He further said that Spanish people now visit Türkiye for aesthetic, dental and eye surgery as well.

"We think that this market will develop further," he added.

Spaniards who visit Türkiye for health purposes also find the opportunity to take a short vacation, he noted.

According to data from Türkiye’s Tourism Office in Madrid, the number of Spaniards who visited Türkiye was around 75,000 last year, but the figure reached 255,000 in the past 10 months of this year and is expected to touch 300,000.

-Weekly flights from Spain to Türkiye to increase

Turkish Airlines reached its pre-pandemic passenger volume in 2022 and even surpassed it in some locations, Cizmecioglu said, adding the number of passengers increased by 123% compared to last year.

"The increase in passengers, revenue and frequency in 2022 in comparison with the previous year made us very happy in the Spanish market in every sense," he said.

He noted that the number of weekly flights of Turkish Airlines from Spain to Türkiye, which is currently 70, is expected to be increased to 82 for the coming summer season.

The number of weekly flights in Madrid and Barcelona, the most important destinations in Spain, will be increased from 21 to 25, he noted.

The Turkish flag carrier will celebrate its 30th year in Barcelona next year and its 40th year in Madrid, said Cizmecioglu.

"We trust ourselves and the market. With the new capacity, we will both strengthen our position in Spain and continue to provide better service to more passengers," he added.

While Spaniards’ primary destinations in Türkiye are Istanbul and Cappadocia, Cizmecioglu said that "on the other hand, the Black Sea, Aegean regions and Antalya are also destinations that have begun attracting attention."

"Recently, Gobeklitepe has also attracted attention due to its historical importance. We have also witnessed that family groups do yacht tourism in Türkiye. This is a new trend for us."

Cizmecioglu said the Turkish flag carrier’s food service is highly appreciated by Spaniards.

"Since they are not used to dining on the plane, they are enchanted when they taste the dishes."

Spaniards are also fascinated by Istanbul Airport, he added.