By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Turkish government has introduced a new financial reward scheme to encourage cruise ships to visit Turkish ports in 2018 and 2019, according to Global Ports Holdings, which operates three ports in the country.
Valid from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019, the Turkish Cruise Tourism Incentive Pack will be available to any cruise vessel carrying 100 or more passengers (excluding Turkish guests). All financial incentives will be paid to cruise lines via shore excursion agencies.
Cruise ships arriving in Turkey’s low seasons (January-April and November-December) will receive US$45 per passenger, while those calling in the mid-season between May and June will be given US$35 per guest. Vessels visiting in the high season (July-October) will be entitled to US$25 per passenger. Cruise lines calling at more than one Turkish port within the same itinerary will only receive the incentive at one port.
In 2019, cruise lines making a turnaround in Turkish ports will receive an additional 50% increase on these passenger fees (including one-way passengers).