Tourism as a strategic pillar of economic cooperation: Insights from the German delegation visit to Türkiye

DERTOUR Group CEO Christoph Debus shares his perspective on the trip

Tourism is no longer just a leisure industry; it has become an integral part of Europe’s economic and geopolitical reality. Increasingly, it plays a role that goes far beyond travel itself, acting as a driver of economic exchange and international cooperation. 

This broader role is particularly visible during the recent German delegation visit to Türkiye, led by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Katherina Reiche. The meetings and discussions in Ankara brought together political and business representatives to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and to position tourism as a key economic driver. 

In an increasingly complex and fragmented global environment, initiatives like these play an important role. They create space for direct dialogue, strengthen trust between markets and help align public and private stakeholders around shared priorities. 

The discussions in Ankara clearly demonstrated the strong commitment on both sides to developing tourism not only as a growth sector, but as a platform for long-term partnership.

Türkiye as a key strategic market

For DERTOUR Group, Türkiye is a longstanding partner and one of the most important growth markets. Each year, around 1.5 million guests travel with DERTOUR Group to the country, making it a central pillar of the company’s international business.

This strong position is built on years of close collaboration with local partners, a deep understanding of the destination and a shared commitment to continuous development.

Türkiye stands out for: 

• a highly competitive value-for-money proposition 

• strong and continuously improving tourism infrastructure 

• a broad and attractive offering for international guests 

These factors continue to position Türkiye as one of the most resilient and competitive destinations in the international tourism landscape.

From scale to direction: Key developments in tourism 

What is becoming increasingly clear is that success in tourism is no longer defined by scale alone, but by strategic direction. Three developments are shaping the industry: 

• Tourism as an economic stabiliser 
  Tourism has the potential to act as a stabilising economic factor between markets, supporting exchange and strengthening economic ties. 

• Continued investment in quality and diversification 
  Key destinations such as Türkiye are investing in infrastructure, product quality and, importantly, in the diversification of their tourism offering. This includes expanding beyond traditional beach tourism into new segments, experiences and target groups. 

• Long-term partnerships as a success factor 
  Sustainable success is built on long-term partnerships, not short-term optimisation. Close cooperation between industry players, destinations and public stakeholders is essential to navigate an increasingly complex global environment. 

A more active role in shaping tourism 

In this changing environment, the role of travel companies is evolving. For DERTOUR Group, this means taking a more active role — bringing our expertise to the table, shaping destination development together with our partners and strengthening international cooperation. 

This includes: 

• working in close partnership with local stakeholders and authorities 

• actively driving the development of high-quality tourism products 

• advancing the diversification of destinations and experiences 

• combining growth with a clear focus on long-term sustainability and stability  

Outlook: Long-term growth through partnership 

Türkiye will remain a key focus market for DERTOUR Group, driven by strong collaboration, a high-quality tourism offering and significant long-term growth potential. 

The recent developments underline an important point: in a more fragmented and uncertain global environment, tourism can act as a bridge — connecting markets, supporting economic resilience and strengthening international partnerships.