USTOA EXPLORES TÜRKİYE FOR ITS OUT OF COUNTRY BOARD MEETING
USTOA Active Members at Zelve Open Air Museum
Photo credit: GoTürkiye
NEW YORK (April 22, 2025) – The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) held its Out of Country Board Meeting in Türkiye from April 6 to 11, 2025. A group of 28 senior executives representing 26 USTOA tour operator member companies convened for an in-depth experience hosted by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency / Go Türkiye in partnership with Turkish Airlines, the official airline partner.
The week-long mission focused on showcasing Türkiye’s history, culture and sustainable tourism efforts, beginning in the country’s capital city, Ankara, followed by visits to the Cappadocia region.
“There were countless memorable moments throughout the week, from thought-provoking conversations to the genuine local connections made while exploring this beautiful destination and its storied history,” said Terry Dale, president and CEO of USTOA. “Experiencing Türkiye reaffirmed the transformative power of travel to bridge cultures and support local communities. It is journeys like this that strengthen our dedication to more inclusive, authentic, and responsible travel experiences.”
Sinan Seha Türkseven, the Acting General Manager of the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, stated, “The entire American continent, especially the USA, is one of our key growth markets. Last year, we welcomed over 1.4 million visitors from the US to Türkiye. Given the vastness of the USA and the diverse offerings of Türkiye as a travel destination, we believe we can quadruple this number in the foreseeable future. The USTOA’s Out of Country Board Meeting has been instrumental in helping us achieve this goal. We were delighted to showcase Turkish hospitality to our American travel industry stakeholders. I am confident that USTOA’s visit to our country will significantly contribute to our rapidly growing business in the USA.”
Throughout the week, USTOA Active Member executives explored several historic and cultural sites across Türkiye, such as Mustafapaşa Village, Paşabağ, and the Göreme Open Air Museum. An early morning hot air ballon tour over the valleys of Cappadocia offered views of the region’s landscape—carved by centuries of erosion and dotted with troglodyte villages and underground cities dating back to the fourth century.
A highlight for USTOA members was a visit to Kaymaklı Underground City which underscored the importance of preserving history.
Türkiye is the first country to develop a comprehensive national sustainable tourism program partnering with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The destination offers a vast number of accommodations verified and certified by the Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Program.
“It was rewarding to see firsthand how Türkiye's commitment to sustainability aligns with USTOA’s efforts to foster a more responsible future for travel,” added Dale. “With its pristine nature reserves and cultural richness, Türkiye is a destination for travelers wishing to lessen their carbon footprint.”
“We are happy to support USTOA’s mission of expanding knowledge of and exploring the beautiful country of Türkiye,” said Ahmet Olmuştur Chief Commercial Officer of Turkish Airlines. “Turkish hospitality and culture are the foundation of the Turkish Airlines experience, and we have great hope that this mission will inspire more U.S. travelers to experience it for themselves.”
A series of thought leadership discussions amongst industry executives made it clear that U.S. tariffs were the leading topic on everyone’s mind. Dale added, “There’s growing concern among our members about the impact tariffs, and the unpredictability surrounding them, could have on travel demand. Right now, there is a wait-and-see mindset.”
The event concluded with a special, private farewell dinner at Güray Museum, home to a chronological collection of ceramics from the Chalcolithic period to the Ottoman Empire, highlighting the evolution of Anatolian craftsmanship.
At the Farewell Gala Dinner from left to right: TGA Corporate and Cultural Events Coordinator Güleser Akcakaya, USTOA Executive Vice President Peggy Murphy; TGA Corporate and Cultural Events Director Mehmethan Kelkit, Karavan Turkey President Giancarlo Baltazzi, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Counselor Hilal Demirel, TGA Vice General Manager Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu, USTOA President and CEO Terry Dale; USTOA Chairman and Executive Vice President of EF Education First Dana Santucci; Turkish Airlines General Manager Los Angeles/Denver Fatih Mehmet Kurşun and Ajet CCO Cemal Kaya.
Photo credit: GoTürkiye
At the conclusion of the event, Dale shared, “A special thank you to our host and partners in Türkiye who delivered an exceptional itinerary and experience. This year’s Out of Country Meeting was extremely memorable. We believe the impact of our time here will be felt both immediately and well into the future.”
For more information on USTOA, visit www.ustoa.com.
About USTOA:
Representing $16 billion in revenue, the member companies of U.S. Tour Operators Association provide tours, packages and custom arrangements that allow six million travelers annually unparalleled access, insider knowledge, peace-of-mind, value, and freedom to enjoy destinations and experiences across the entire globe. Each member company has met the travel industry’s highest standards, including participation in the USTOA’s Travelers Assistance Program, which protects consumer payments up to $1 million if the company goes out of business. As a voice for the tour operator industry for more than 50 years, USTOA also provides education and assistance for consumers and travel advisors.
Press Contacts:
Gina Dolecki/Gabrielle Naucke
Redpoint
212-229-0119
dolecki@redpointmarketingpr.com /naucke@redpointmarketingpr.com
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