Friday, May 16, 2025
The newly announced partnership between the World Travel & Tourism Council and Turkey’s Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) marks a pivotal advancement in strengthening Turkey’s position within the global tourism arena. This strategic alliance is designed to foster deeper international cooperation, promote policy alignment, and drive sustainable tourism growth. With TÜRSAB representing nearly sixteen thousand travel agencies across Türkiye, the collaboration empowers Turkey to play a more influential role in shaping global travel standards, advocating innovation, and addressing industry challenges. The partnership also enhances cross-border initiatives and ensures Turkish tourism has a stronger voice in global forums dedicated to economic development, digital transformation, and sector resilience.
WTTC and TÜRSAB Forge Strategic Alliance to Advance Global Tourism Collaboration
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced a new partnership with the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), in a move that underscores the growing importance of international cooperation in shaping the future of global tourism. This newly formalized relationship is set to bolster sector-wide collaboration, strengthen cross-border initiatives, and elevate the role of Turkish tourism on the global stage.
Headquartered in Istanbul, TÜRSAB stands as one of the most influential and comprehensive tourism associations globally. Representing nearly sixteen thousand licensed travel agencies throughout Türkiye, the organization has been instrumental in shaping the nation’s tourism development since its founding under legislative mandate in 1972. For more than five decades, TÜRSAB has played a leading role in advancing Türkiye’s travel and tourism sector through regulatory advocacy, skill development, strategic initiatives, and global outreach.
With a decentralized structure consisting of thirty-four Regional Representative Boards and fifteen Expert Committees, TÜRSAB maintains a strong presence across every corner of Türkiye. These boards and committees ensure that the organization is well-positioned to address the diverse needs of the industry—from cultural tourism and eco-travel to digital innovation and inbound market expansion.
TÜRSAB’s mission centers on safeguarding the rights of travel agencies, while also enhancing professionalism through tailored education programs, certifications, and networking platforms. It also plays a vital promotional role by actively supporting campaigns that highlight Türkiye’s diverse tourism offerings, which range from historical landmarks and coastal resorts to adventure tourism and wellness experiences.
A cornerstone of TÜRSAB’s strategy is its international engagement. The Association routinely participates in global forums, builds relationships with foreign tourism boards, and advocates for Türkiye’s tourism interests in multilateral settings. With its inclusion in the WTTC’s Association Partner network, TÜRSAB is now positioned to contribute directly to high-level industry dialogues on key topics such as sustainability, digital transformation, crisis recovery, and long-term economic resilience.
WTTC, the leading authority representing the global private Travel & Tourism sector, continues to champion collaborative frameworks that support sustainable growth and resilient tourism economies. With TÜRSAB now part of its Association Partner program, WTTC strengthens its regional representation and benefits from local insights into one of the world’s fastest-growing travel destinations.
This partnership is also expected to foster joint research initiatives, encourage knowledge sharing, and support policy alignment between public and private stakeholders in Türkiye and beyond. Both organizations share a vision of travel that not only drives economic progress but also promotes cultural understanding, innovation, and responsible tourism practices.
As global tourism steadily recovers from recent disruptions, WTTC and TÜRSAB aim to ensure that their joint efforts yield tangible benefits for businesses, communities, and travelers. From addressing climate action and investment flows to talent development and digital integration, this collaboration will help guide the sector toward a more inclusive and future-ready model.
The partnership between the World Travel & Tourism Council and Turkey’s TÜRSAB strengthens Turkey tourism by enhancing international collaboration, promoting sustainable growth, and positioning the country as a key player in shaping global travel policies. This alliance empowers Turkey to influence the future of tourism through innovation, advocacy, and sector-wide cooperation.
The partnership between the World Travel & Tourism Council and Turkey’s TÜRSAB strengthens Turkey tourism by enhancing international collaboration, promoting sustainable growth, and positioning the country as a key player in shaping global travel policies. This alliance empowers Turkey to influence the future of tourism through innovation, advocacy, and sector-wide cooperation.
Ultimately, the inclusion of TÜRSAB into WTTC’s global network reflects a shared commitment to advancing a smarter, more resilient, and equitable tourism industry—one that supports economic diversification in Türkiye while contributing to broader global goals.
