Ukraine is open to international cooperation in the field of tourism, which aligns with the political and socio-economic processes of the European integration.
The bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Türkiye in tourism is governed by the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye, signed on April 30, 1994.
One important aspect of bilateral cooperation is the continuous exchange of information on tourism opportunities in Ukraine and Türkiye. Both countries participate in tourism exhibitions, fairs, and exchanges held on their respective territories. They also collaborate on joint investment projects and educational initiatives in the field of tourism and resorts.
Furthermore, both countries actively cooperate in the field of tourism through international organizations such as the World Tourism Organization and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
According to official data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, Ukraine was among the top 20 countries in terms of the number of tourists visiting Türkiye in 2022. 675,467 thousand Ukrainian citizens visited the country, a decrease of 67.21% compared to the previous year (2.06 million Ukrainian citizens visited Türkiye in 2021, marking a 106% increase compared to 2020). In 2021, 246,000 Turkish citizens visited Ukraine. Due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the imposition of martial law, there is no statistical information available on the number of Turkish citizens who visited Ukraine in 2022.
The increase in the number of tourists has been facilitated by a bilateral agreement signed in March 2017, allowing citizens of Ukraine and Türkiye who hold passport cards (ID cards) to stay in each other's countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without the need for visas.
Prior to February 24, 2022, there were more than 180 weekly flights connecting Türkiye and Ukraine. In 2019, new flight routes were introduced between Izmir and Kyiv, as well as Bodrum and Kyiv. Additionally, tourists also utilize land and sea transportation options. A direct passenger ferry service operates between Chornomorsk (Ukraine) and Haydarpaşa (Türkiye). During the COVID-19 pandemic, when international flights were canceled, Ukrainians were able to return home using the Karasu (Türkiye) - Chornomorsk (Ukraine) ferry line.
The city of Istanbul and the Mediterranean coast remain the most popular destinations for Ukrainian tourists. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting places like Cappadocia, Gobeklitepe, Dalaman, Marmaris, Bodrum, Fethiye, and Datchi. Religious tourism has gained popularity, as Turkey has many sites connected to the history of Christianity. Sports tourism, including football, cycling, and gymnastics, has also been developing, with teams organizing their training camps at specialized facilities in Turkey. Additionally, Ukrainian citizens have started exploring Turkey for medical tourism purposes.