Turkey banks on modern cruise hub to boost tourism - in pictures

A state-of-the-art port in Istanbul with an underground terminal, a celebrity chef's restaurant and a shopping centre hopes to bring more cash to Turkey's struggling tourism industry

Bystanders feed seagulls and watch a Costa Venezia cruise ship in Galataport, Istanbul, on June 06, 2022. - Galataport, located in Istanbul's neighborhood of Karakoy, is set to energise cruise tourism from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea amidst Turkish economy tailspin over a weakening lira currency and soaring inflation. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)

The 20-storey Costa Venezia from Italy docked in Galataport after taking passengers on an 11-day voyage on Aegean Sea.

The port is home to a shopping centre, a hotel, cultural venues and a restaurant owned by Turkish butcher Salt Bae, who sprinkles salt on steaks in front of celebrity customers.

About 30 cruise ships have so far anchored at Galataport and 200 more are expected by the end of the year.

"If a regular tourist spends $62 daily, a cruise passenger spends $400," said Figen Ayan, chief port officer at Galataport.

The project also opened a 1.2-kilometre stretch of coastline that had been closed to the public for 200 years. But critics say it destroyed old neighbourhoods and poses a risk to the environment.

Cruises threaten marine life, discharging large quantities of sewage and other waste, said Muharrem Balci, associate professor of biology at Istanbul University.

Large ships were banned from Venice last year after warnings that they risked causing irreparable damage to the city.

Burak Caliskan, country manager for MSC Cruises in Turkey, said: "We don't think Istanbul will face a similar situation. We don't have a city structure like Venice."

Mr Caliskan said newly built ships were cleaner and quieter so they do not disturb sea creatures such as whales.

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