Istanbul's Yenikapi Cruise Port Project is due to become operational soon, the transport and infrastructure minister of Turkey said on Tuesday, November 4.
According to Cahit Turhan, Istanbul would be the starting and finishing point in cruise tourism after the cruise port becomes operational. Turhan didn't provide details about the exact inauguration date, but added that the tender for the project would be completed in 2020.
Stating that cruise tourism constituted 2% of the world's total tourism, Turhan said that Cruise tourism in Turkey had grown 23% on average annually from 2003 through 2009.
The country aimed at 3-million cruise ship passenger capacity, the minister noted.