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A group of German-based Turkish travel agency owners and representatives has completed a tour of Southeast Türkiye aimed at expanding tourism to the region, organized by a Turkish tour company for agencies operating in various German cities.
The trip covered Gaziantep, Adiyaman, Sanliurfa, Mardin and Diyarbakir, promoting the Southeastern Anatolia Region's historical and touristic value abroad.
Participants toured historical sites in Gaziantep and Sanliurfa before moving on to Mardin's Artuklu, Midyat and Nusaybin districts, visiting landmarks including the Kasimiye Madrasa, the ancient city of Dara, the Living Museum, Deyrulzafaran Monastery, the Ulu Mosque and historic mansions.
In Diyarbakir, they saw sites such as the Ten-Eyed Bridge, the Ulu Mosque, the UNESCO-listed city walls, the Ickale Museum Complex, Hasanpasa Inn and the Four-Legged Minaret, along with the region's culinary traditions, before heading to Adiyaman.
Murat Guler, a Turkish travel agency owner who organized the trip, said 11 German-based agencies took part, most of which typically sell coastal tours rather than trips to the Southeast.
He said the region's growing popularity, improved safety and increased visibility through television series have driven strong demand, particularly among expatriates and Europeans, and predicted the Southeast would become one of the world's most sought-after destinations if the trend continues.
Halil Yalcin, who has run a travel agency in Germany for around 35 years and also coordinates an association of 1,200 agencies across Türkiye, Russia and Germany, said he sends 90% of his clients to Türkiye and considers Mardin, in particular, a standout for its history.
He said promoting the country's natural and cultural richness remains a priority for his agency.
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Ayla Ala, who has worked in German tourism for four decades, said she was especially struck by the region's historical sites, food and hospitality, adding that her agency, which has traditionally focused on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, now plans to promote the Southeast more actively.
Other participants echoed similar impressions.
Aytul Korkmaz, who had previously only seen the region online, said visiting in person confirmed it was worth the trip, calling historical tourism especially valuable.
Fevzi Koc, visiting the Southeast for the first time despite having toured much of the rest of Türkiye, said the experience exceeded his expectations and that he hopes to bring more visitors to the region.
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