İzmir Metropolitan Municipality took another important step to increase the cruise tourism potential of the city and became a member of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Thanks to this membership, İzmir is now a part of the networks of cruise companies, ports and destinations that are decision makers in cruise tourism. Mayor of Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer said that the membership with the association will further shine İzmir's star in the field of tourism.
After İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer took office, another good news came after the cruises came to the city after years with the works, bilateral meetings and connections. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality took another important step to increase the cruise tourism potential of the city and became a member of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Thanks to the membership, Izmir has joined a network of cruise companies, ports and destinations that are decision makers in cruise tourism.
İzmir's star will shine
Stating that they have taken many important steps to make İzmir a global city in tourism and that they have started to reap the fruits of their efforts, Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer said: "We have enabled cruise ships to come to the city again after 6 years and we have become a member of international networks including the International Council for Sustainable Tourism and the World Federation of Tourism Cities. We have made the name of our city known to the world with the international events we hosted and the awards we received in the field of tourism. Now we are taking another important step. Becoming a member of the Cruise Lines International Association will make İzmir's star shine even brighter in the field of tourism."
CLIA serves 30 million passengers a year
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association representing North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Southeast Asian Islands. It continues to provide services by growing every year with travel agencies, global cruise companies and marketing subsidiaries. With more than 55 cruise lines as members, CLIA represents 95 per cent of global passenger capacity. With more than 350 managing partners who are the main suppliers and partners of cruise lines, CLIA plays an important role in the successful operation of cruises, including ports and destinations, ship development, suppliers and business services.  CLIA serves 30 million passengers a year.
What has been done for cruise tourism?
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality organized welcome and farewell ceremonies with bands and zeybek at İzmir Port in the first 3 months of the cruise ships' arrival in İzmir. The staff of the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism and the Metropolitan Tourism Branch Directorate took part in the Tourism Information Office in İzmir Port and handed out city maps and informative brochures to tourists.
Necessary arrangements were made on the walking routes for the city and brochures (English and German) of the walking routes were prepared and presented to tourists free of charge. Free internet service was provided in the harbor.
In cooperation with the tourism police teams established within the municipality and the tradesmen's chambers, hawking activities in the harbor area were prevented.
With these efforts, 29 cruises and 47,424 tourists came to İzmir Port in 2022, 31 cruises and 38,494 tourists in 2023. 72 cruises have been booked for 2024.