Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, said: From January 15, admission to the Hagia Sophia for foreign visitors will no longer be free.
Ersoy held a press conference at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) to assess the topics on the agenda.
He stated that based on the tourism statistics for the first nine months, the total number of visitors increased from 40.2 million last year to 45.2 million by the end of September.
Minister Ersoy noted that Turkey has experienced steady growth in tourism each month compared to previous years, stating: "Our priority is not the number of visitors but our goals regarding daily per capita income and total annual revenue."
Referring to the average length of stay in tourism, Ersoy provided the following information:
In 2022, the average length of stay was 10.1 nights in the first nine months and 10.3 nights for the entire year.
In 2023, the average length of stay is estimated to be 9.5 nights, with an annual average of 9.8 nights.
The average duration is declining, mainly due to the economic crisis. "As a result of the high inflation following the pandemic, which has affected the entire world, tourists are cutting short their holiday periods." He added that in Turkey, the number of visitors also includes a significant number of Turkish citizens residing abroad. However, the proportion of visitors who are Turkish citizens living abroad is currently declining.
Visiting Hagia Sophia is no longer free.
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, stated that starting from January 15, entry to the Hagia Sophia will no longer be free for foreign visitors. Ersoy held a press conference at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) to discuss the topics on the agenda.
Tickets for Hagia Sophia for Foreign Visitors Minister Ersoy, noting that Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Square are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, stated that the restoration of Hagia Sophia has been carried out in accordance with UNESCO's recommendations and feedback. He emphasized that following UNESCO's advice, the visitor management program at Hagia Sophia will change after January 15, 2024. "In this management plan, the quality and safety of visits will be enhanced. Crowding will be controlled by distributing visitors across different pathways. Once again, the mosque will be integrated into a very ideal ecosystem with a focus on preserving and promoting our shared human heritage. There will be no changes to the "entry for Turkish citizens" who visit the mosque for worship. They can perform their prayers in the existing worship area. After their prayers, they will exit through the current exit door. There will be no changes in this regard. Starting January 15, we will address the entrance gate for foreign visitors coming for tourism and cultural purposes. We are working on utilizing the upper gallery in Hagia Sophia, which is currently closed. In fact, we will guide foreign tourists from that gallery, bring them down at the end of the gallery, and allow them to exit through the exit door. In other words, we are preventing the overlap between those who come for worship and those who come for tourism at the entrance, and we are controlling it by dispersing the crowd across different floors." Ersoy also mentioned that information about Hagia Sophia will be provided in 16 languages through a mobile application and headphones. Now, visitors can enjoy a tranquil environment to learn about the history and symbols of Hagia Sophia without disturbing the worshippers.
