Türkiye is positioning itself as a leading medical tourism destination, aiming to boost revenues as more travelers seek affordable, high-quality healthcare services abroad, industry experts have said. Over the past decades, Türkiye has increased its share in the global medical tourism market. The country's healthcare facilities have seen substantial revenue growth, with earnings soaring from 203 million U.S. dollars in 2003 to 2.2 billion dollars in 2022, data from the Trade Ministry showed. The International Health Services Inc., an official affiliate of the Turkish Health Ministry, reported that more than 670,000 foreign visitors traveled to Türkiye for medical treatment in 2021. The...
Türkiye in International Media
At the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye, Syria’s interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa arrived in the capital Ankara on February 4. Erdoğan and Al-Sharaa held bilateral meetings. This visit marks Al-Sharaa’s second international visit after assuming office. According to a statement from the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications of the Republic of Türkiye, during the visit, the parties will comprehensively address current developments in Syria and evaluate cooperation between the two countries in economy and security. The discussions will focus on joint steps to be taken to ensure Syria’s economic recovery, sustainable...
Türkiye has successfully conducted another test of its domestically developed Tayfun missile. The launch carried out under strict security measures, took place near Rize-Artvin Airport. The short-range missile hit its target with pinpoint accuracy. This marks the third successful test of the missile, following previous tests in 2022 and 2023. Developed and produced by Roketsan, Tayfun is currently considered Türkiye’s longest-range missile. The missile weighs 2,300 kilograms and has a length of 6.5 meters. According to Anadolu Agency, the missile has an effective range of 280 kilometres and a maximum range of 800 kilometres.
According to data published by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), tourism revenue increased by 8.3% in 2024, reaching $61.103 billion, setting a new record. Tourism revenue from visitors amounted to $60.497 billion, while tourism revenue from transit passengers was $606.401 million. Visitor numbers increase by 9% in 2024 The number of visitors also rose by 9% compared to the previous year, reaching 62.2 million. Of these, 15.4% (9,599,727 people) were Turkish citizens residing abroad. Russia sends the highest number of tourists In 2024, Russia topped the list with 6.71 million visitors, followed by Germany with 6.62 million and the United Kingdom with 4.43 million. The UK was followed by Iran and Bulgaria in visitor...
An Israeli airstrike killed three Turkish citizens who attempted to cross illegally from Lebanon to Israel, Türkiye's foreign ministry said on Wednesday. "We condemn in the strongest terms this unlawful attack that resulted in the death of our citizens," the ministry said in a statement, without mentioning when the incident took place. Procedures are under way to repatriate their bodies to Türkiye, the ministry said. "As we have emphasised on every occasion, Israel must immediately end its aggressive policies that disregard human life and escalate tensions in our region," the ministry said.
The Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the aim of consolidating bilateral relations and strengthening coordination at the regional level in light of the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and Syria. As reported by the Turkish press, these were the issues on the agenda of the meeting between Fidan and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan. The parties discussed ways to further develop ties in various sectors, which contributed to a trade volume of approximately $8 billion last year, and exchanged views on the situation in the region and at the international...
A meeting was held at the Ministry of Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan, attended by representatives from the "Türkmengaz" state institution and a delegation led by Abdulvahid Fidan, the Managing Director of the Turkish company BOTAŞ. One of the main topics of the meeting was the modernization of the export routes for Turkmen gas to Türkiye. BOTAŞ expressed its readiness to provide comprehensive support for the development of infrastructure and the expansion of supply channels. These measures will ensure the stable access of Turkmen gas to both the Turkish market and global markets. During the meeting, the importance...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday introduced a comprehensive judicial reform plan, stating that it aims to enhance the independence, transparency, and efficiency of Türkiye's judicial system. Speaking at the reform's introductory meeting, Erdoğan said the change would enhance legal security, ensure timely proceedings, establish a predictable justice system, streamline procedures, and foster trust and satisfaction with the judiciary. The reform focuses on expanding restorative and compensatory justice practices, particularly prelitigation alternative dispute resolution methods. It also aims to strengthen the effectiveness and deterrence of the criminal justice system and accelerate the digital transformation of justice...
According to a statement from the office of Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye, which has been highly active on the African continent, has offered to mediate between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are engaged in conflict through proxy militias in eastern DRC. As reported by the official Anadolu Agency, President Erdoğan received his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame in Ankara on Thursday evening and stated, "Türkiye is ready to provide all necessary assistance for the resolution of the crisis between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo." The M23 armed group, backed...