17.03.2026 16:02
Sanliurfa is expecting a record tourism season in 2026 with the mid-term break and the upcoming Ramadan Feast. The Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality, Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, stated that Sanliurfa's tourism potential is increasing every year and reiterated the invitation by saying, "We welcome everyone to these ancient lands."
In Şanlıurfa, which hosts millions of visitors every year with its historical, cultural, and natural riches, it is aimed to increase tourism activity during the Ramadan Feast and the tourism season that will start afterwards.
Many tourism points in the city, especially Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, Balıklıgöl, Harran, Halfeti, and Takoran Valley, continue to attract the interest of local and foreign visitors. According to tourism data, approximately 950 thousand bed sales were recorded in Şanlıurfa in 2025. The total number of visitors, including day-trippers, reached approximately 5 million 300 thousand that year.
INVITATION FROM GÜLPINAR TO ŞANLIURFA
Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, the Mayor of Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality, drew attention to the unique heritage of the city and invited all local and foreign visitors to see Şanlıurfa.
Gülpınar stated, “Our tourist expectations in 2026 are at the highest point. Because according to the data we received last year, Şanlıurfa was the most visited city in the region, and this is, of course, a great source of pride for us. We sincerely believe that this will continue to increase and more tourists will come to Urfa. Of course, we are also monitoring regional developments. We are going through a particularly sensitive process in terms of the region. Hopefully, this will not have a negative impact. I do not think there will be any problems, especially in terms of domestic tourism and local tourists. However, there may be a short-term pause in terms of foreign tourists. But I believe we will overcome this as soon as possible. Because Urfa is indeed in a very safe location and is a peaceful city,” he said.
“ŞANLIURFA ON THE WORLD AGENDA”
Gülpınar also added that new discoveries made in many excavation sites, especially Karahantepe, within the scope of the Stone Hills Project, continue to maintain their freshness on the world agenda. “Şanlıurfa is a city that everyone should come and see. Recently, Urfa has been on the world agenda.
Especially when you look at the latest discoveries and findings, it has become a destination that is closely followed worldwide. We are slowly reaping the benefits of this. We are facing an increasingly growing tourist potential. Hopefully, this will continue to increase. I believe that tourists from many parts of the world will flock here in the upcoming period. Our hope and wish are in this direction. We are also working hard with our colleagues to fulfill our responsibilities in terms of both promotional activities and ensuring that tourists are comfortable here. Our greatest wish is for our guests to leave here satisfied. We will continue this effort together,” he said.
GÜLPINAR CONGRATULATED CITIZENS ON THE HOLIDAY
Mayor Gülpınar also added that they will continue to meet on common ground in matters that shape the future of the city, especially tourism. He expressed that this unity and solidarity have an important place in the city's identity. Emphasizing that Şanlıurfa beautifully reflects this feature during Ramadan, Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar said, “With all these beautiful wishes, I congratulate our citizens on the Ramadan Feast and wish a happy holiday to all our fellow citizens.”