Turkey's appeal as a travel destination continues to shine as major hotel groups Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International announce major expansions in the country.

Wyndham's Turkish triumph

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has made a bold statement in Turkey, surpassing the 100-hotel mark. This achievement reinforces Wyndham's status as Turkey's largest international hotel company, with over 105 hotels open and operating, and around 20 more under development. This expansion is in line with Wyndham's goal of becoming one of the world's top 100 hotel operators by 2027.

Recent additions to the Wyndham portfolio include the 176-room Days Hotel by Wyndham Istanbul Esenyurt, the Ramada by Wyndham Karapinar in Central Anatolia, the Istanbul New Airport Hotel - Trademark Collection by Wyndham, and the upscale Wyndham Afyonkarahisar Thermal & Spa, among others. This boom in Turkish establishments now extends to over 45 cities, offering a range of accommodation options from economy to top-of-the-range.

Turkey has seen remarkable growth in tourism, with over 51 million inbound visitors in 2022, and the country is targeting 60 million travelers in 2023. With high occupancy rates due to both domestic and international demand, Turkey remains a leading European destination.

Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, emphasized the diversity of Turkey's attractions, making it an attractive destination for all types of travelers. He expressed his enthusiasm at the prospect of reaching the 100-hotel milestone during Turkey's 100th anniversary celebrations, and reiterated Wyndham's commitment to expanding its offering.

Marriott's multiform movements

Marriott International is also investing in Turkey, announcing the signing of 13 contracts comprising over 2,000 rooms to strengthen its presence in the country. With an existing portfolio of 48 properties and nearly 8,000 rooms across 21 brands, Marriott aims to further diversify its presence in Turkey.

Among notable signings, Marriott introduces Fairfield Inn by Marriott to Turkey with the 192-room Fairfield by Marriott Istanbul Yenibosna. In addition, the Residence Inn by Marriott Istanbul Piyalepasa will meet the demand for long-term accommodation in downtown Istanbul.

The growth of the upscale residential apartment market in Turkey has led to the signing of Marriott Executive Apartments Vadistanbul and Marriott Executive Apartments Istanbul Tema, scheduled to open in 2024.

Marriott is also developing its flagship brand, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, with the Istanbul Marriott Hotel Pendik, and entering Usak with the Sheraton Hotel & Thermal Spa Usak.

Other brands poised to enhance Turkey's hotel landscape include Delta Hotels by Marriott, Aloft Hotels and Moxy Hotels, each offering unique experiences to cater to different traveler segments.