The Hagia Sophia is an iconic monument in Istanbul with a layered history reflecting significant religious, cultural, and political transformations.

Originally constructed in the 6th century under Byzantine Emperor Justinian, it served as the largest Christian cathedral in the world for nearly a millennium.

After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque, marking a pivotal religious and cultural shift.

In 1934, following the foundation of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ordered its secularization, transforming it into a museum that preserved both Christian mosaics and Islamic features, symbolizing Turkey’s secular and multicultural heritage.

In 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a decree reconverting Hagia Sophia into a mosque while retaining its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Since then, visitor management policies introduced separate entrances for worshippers and tourists, and, starting January 2024, an entry fee was implemented for tourists to fund conservation efforts as advised by UNESCO .

The 2020 reconversion elicited widespread controversy domestically and internationally, grounded in both religious and political concerns.

Religious critics, particularly Orthodox Christian leaders, have decried the move as diminishing the site's deep Christian heritage and as a violation of religious freedom.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate and Greek government officials publicly criticized the decision, highlighting the symbolic injury to Orthodox Christianity.

Additionally, Western governments, including the U.S., expressed dissatisfaction, viewing the reconversion as a backward step for intercultural and interreligious coexistence.

Islamic tradition, which forbids figurative depictions in places of worship, led to the covering of Christian mosaics such as those of Jesus and Mary, further stirring objections as it symbolized the prioritization of the Islamic legacy over the site's complex multi-faith history.

Scholars analyzing the move observe that Erdoğan’s decision aligns with a broader strategy to reinvigorate Ottoman-Islamic identity amidst domestic political challenges like electoral setbacks and economic difficulties, representing a religio-nationalist appeal to his political base .

Concerns have also been raised regarding the conservation and structural integrity of Hagia Sophia post-reconversion.

Visible damage, including falling fragments from the dome, was widely publicized, prompting international experts to warn about the risks that increased visitor traffic and worship activities pose to the monument’s preservation.

Turkish authorities responded by implementing separation of worship spaces and tourist pathways, and instituting entrance fees for foreigners to support restoration efforts.

However, continued vigilance and restoration remain critical to safeguarding the site’s architectural and cultural heritage for future generations .

The political dimension of the controversy is pronounced.

Erdoğan’s move is widely interpreted as reinforcing his political narrative centered on reviving Turkey’s Ottoman and Islamic identity, consolidating support among conservative and religious voters.

At the same time, it alienates secular Turkish groups and minority communities who see the change as undermining Turkey’s secular heritage and pluralism.

Internationally, UNESCO officially criticized the decision, emphasizing the lack of prior consultations and warning about the impact on the site's universal value.

Entities such as the American Council for the Liberation of Hagia Sophia advocate for restoring the building’s Christian worship status and have intimated legal challenges should diplomatic solutions falter.

European governments have also expressed concern over the precedent the reconversion sets for cultural heritage management and interfaith respect .

For Istanbul tour guides, the Hagia Sophia's reconversion and ensuing controversy present challenges in navigating sensitive conversations with tourists, particularly those from Western and Orthodox Christian backgrounds who may be distressed or critical.

Experts advise adopting a diplomatic and neutral stance that acknowledges the site's complex history as a shared symbol of Byzantine Christian and Ottoman Islamic heritage.

Guides are encouraged to explain the factual timeline, including the 2020 change, in terms of Turkey’s religious, political, and cultural context without adopting partisan tones.

Emphasis on the site's UNESCO status and ongoing conservation efforts can instill confidence in its protected status.

Highlighting the coexistence reflected in prior eras and the current separation of functions between worship and tourism helps frame the narrative as one of cultural continuity and respectful accommodation.

This approach helps balance diverse visitor perspectives, foster respectful dialogue, and maintain an inclusive tour experience .

In conclusion, the Hagia Sophia stands at the intersection of history, religion, politics, and culture, making its 2020 reconversion a matter layered with significance and controversy.

The religious undertones, coupled with clear political motives attributed to President Erdoğan, have sparked international debate and domestic discord.

For tour guides, understanding this complex backdrop and employing sensitive, factual, and neutral communication strategies is essential in addressing tourist inquiries, balancing the preservation of historical truth and cultural respect while navigating the ongoing sensitivities surrounding this UNESCO

World Heritage landmark.

The Hagia Sophia is an iconic monument in Istanbul with a layered history reflecting significant religious, cultural, and political transformations.

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Content: >
December 9, 2021

Christian leaders look forward to Turkey's new law on religious foundations

This is an issue of vital importance for local Christian communities whose places of worship are entrusted to and managed by their governing bodies

Religious minorities in Turkey are looking forward to the increasingly Islamo-nationalist government making good its promise of outreach to non-Muslims by giving them freedom to establish and run their religious and social institutions.

The Turkish government is preparing to issue a new regulation on the administrative management of foundations linked to non-Muslim faith communities, which have been paralyzed for years by a legislative impasse that blocks the renewal of their governing bodies.

This is an issue of vital importance for local Christian communities such as Armenians and Assyrians, whose places of worship – many of them historic --, other real estate and public institutions are entrusted to and managed by foundations.

Burhan Ersoy, head of the state-run Directorate of the Foundations, has confirmed that the plan for the drafting of a new regulation concerning the elections for the assignment of offices within the foundations has come into being, Fides reported.

The draft of the text has been drawn up, taking into account requests and proposals from the various minority communities, and it is expected that the new rules, after obtaining government approval, would be implemented by April 2022.

The previous electoral regulation for the top management of foundations had been suspended in 2013, after the government chose to establish new procedures to make the management of real estate more functional and transparent.

This led to some confusion with representatives of the various minority communities unable to come to a consensus to either accept or reject the new electoral rules, Ersoy said.

The Syrian Orthodox Christian Süleyman Can Ustabaşı, current representative of the non-Muslim Foundations within the Assembly of Foundations, has said that the structure of foundations and their membership profiles had changed over time.

The Turkish government already had consultations with the representatives of religious minorities to resolve the dispute over board elections for their foundations.

But Ustabaşı now urges Turkish authorities to carry out another consultation with representatives of minority communities before the new text is to be implemented in 2022.

The legal status of the Foundations is still based on the Peace Treaty of Lausanne, signed in 1923 by Turkey and the Entente powers (British Empire, France and Russian Empire) victorious from the First World War.

The treaty guaranteed equality before the laws and the freedom to promote and manage "religious and social institutions" for non-Muslim communities in Turkey.

However, the state had seized properties run by these foundations and had to contend with litigation as these foundations claimed the rights guaranteed by the Treaty of Lausanne.

Also, starting from 1936, legislative provisions had allowed foundations of non-Muslim communities to acquire new properties. But in 1974, this guarantee was canceled and the state begun seizing assets acquired by these foundations.

Between 2013 and 2018 about 1,084 properties were returned to the foundations linked to non-Muslim communities, and 20 places of worship restored and given back to the foundations, according to official data.

Greek Orthodox Laki Vingas, in a speech published by the Armenian-Turkish newspaper Agos, said that the legislative deadlock on the question of the regulation of the foundations has had a negative effect on the life of the different ecclesial communities.

The block in the processes of renewal of the governing bodies of foundations had led to the expulsion of young people from the institutions linked to their communities, and also that many voluntary activities were "unfortunately interrupted".

Non-Muslim places of worship

Within the general Assembly of the Turkish Foundations are some 167 minority foundations. The Turkish Greek community has 77, the highest number of foundations. The Armenian community has 54 and the Jewish community has 19 foundations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a cabinet meeting held on October 25 announced that authorities had put on the agenda the question of the elections of the directorates of the foundations linked to religious minorities.

He also spoke of fundamental tools for the management of assets and resources destined for non-Muslim places of worship.

The issue of the foundations come at a time when Turkish authorities have expelled more and more Protestant Christians -- foreigners and Turkish converts-- on grounds they constitute a "threat to national security".

Turkey had also recently transformed museums into mosques, such as the Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora.

Both churches had been turned into museums after the end of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of modern Turkey.

The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora was built by the Byzantines in the 5th century. The Ottomans then turned it into a mosque after they captured Constantinople in 1453. And it remained a Muslim worship space until the end of the Second World War when it was transformed into a museum.

The same happened to the Hagia Sophia Museum in Iznik, and the high-profile reconversion of the Hagia Sophia Museum, Istanbul's most identifiable monument.

Many observers believe that President Erdogan, weakened internally by a bad economy and a lack of political perspective, is compensating with erasing part of the country's multiculturalism, aimed at shoring up the ranks of his Islamo-nationalist base.

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How did the role of Hagia Sophia change following the Ottoman conquest?

Hagia Sophia became a central Islamic religious site for centuries

What was the original historical and cultural significance of Hagia Sophia in the Byzantine Empire?

Served as the central church of Byzantine Christianity,

What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

repositioned Hagia Sophia as a global cultural landmark.

Originally constructed in the 6th century under Byzantine Emperor Justinian, it served as the largest Christian cathedral in the world for nearly a millennium.

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Content: Gazeta.ru on desktop
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In ATOR called an insignificant amount of €25 for the entrance to the mosque of Hagia Sophia
In ATOR warned tourists about the rise in price of tickets to the palace-museums of Istanbul
A rise in prices for tourist services in Istanbul is inevitable due to the weak position of the local currency - the lira.
This was stated in an interview with Gazeta.Ru Vice President of ATOR Arthur Muradyan, commenting on the decision of the authorities to make a visit to the Hagia Sophia mosque for foreigners paid.
From January 15, the entrance will cost €25.
“From the point of view of tourists, the amount of 25 euros, and for a family of two or four people it is 50-100 euros, can not be called some significant expenditure.
On the other hand, of course, some tourists will think about spending money on visiting this attraction.
Of course, it is a landmark for Istanbul, and I think that the Turkish authorities have approached carefully to determine the amount of fees for visiting this architectural monument, ” Muradian said.
In his opinion, following the Hagia Sophia mosque, the authorities can raise prices for entrance tickets to other museums.
“The rise in prices for tourist services is inevitable to some extent due to the not very good fate of the lira, which we have seen in the last few years.
And, of course, tourists should be ready to increase the cost of services related to the use of the tourism infrastructure of Istanbul, ” said ATOR Vice President.
On January 12, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey reported that the entrance to the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul for foreign citizens from January 15, 2024 will cost €25.
The ministry explained that when setting the fee for visiting the mosque, they were guided by the recommendations of UNESCO.
Hagia Sophia, which is now called the Great Mosque of Hagia Sophia, was erected in the 6th century under the emperor Justinian and for more than a thousand years remained the largest Christian temple in the world.
In 1453, after the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks, Saint Sophia was converted into a mosque.
In 1934, the temple was given the status of a museum, it retained both Christian and Muslim decoration.
In July 2020, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree on the resumption of Muslim worship in Hagia Sophia.
Entrance to the mosque was free for all visitors, including tourists.
Earlier it became known about the destruction of a mosque in Gaza after Israeli shelling.
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What was the original historical and cultural significance of Hagia Sophia in the Byzantine Empire?

Served as the central church of Byzantine Christianity,

When was Hagia Sophia built and under whose rule?

Why is Hagia Sophia considered an architectural milestone in world history?

It was the world's largest church for centuries.

After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque, marking a pivotal religious and cultural shift.

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Content: New rules come into force for the visit of Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey - Sunrise Gate
Tuesday 16 January 2024 2: 04 PM Cairo Cairo 24 °
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New rules come into effect for visiting Hagia Sophia mosque in Turkey
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Published on: Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM | Last updated on Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM
The project for the Hagia Sophia mosque was closest to the heart of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – but it was also the project that drew international criticism.
In the summer of 2020, Erdogan restored Hagia Sophia to be a mosque after it was originally a church, converted into an Ottoman mosque, converted into a museum.
At the time, Erdogan assured citizens that entry fees would be abolished, adding that the cultural edifice would remain open to everyone – Muslims or non-Muslims alike.
There will be another major change from January 15, with access to the Hagia Sophia restricted and visitors will have to pay fees again.
Turkish Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Arsoy hopes this will improve coexistence between religious and tourist visitors.
Arsoy said recently that tourist visitors are making noise and disrupting calm and prayer.
Until recently, visitors and worshippers were allowed to enter the interior of Hagia Sophia together, with barriers and signs keeping a certain distance between them.
However, from now on, worshippers and tourists will be introduced through different entrances.
Although worshippers can use the same entrances as before, tourists will be guided through an upstairs hallway.
According to Arsoy, tour guides will not be allowed to accompany visitors through the corridors, and earphones will be used instead.
“Our priority there is prayer, ” Arsoy said, noting that the building is a world cultural heritage site and should therefore remain open to all visitors around the world.
Zuleiha Duman, 29, who returned to Istanbul from Germany to see Hagia Sophia after it was converted into a mosque, said she found it taking away.
Welcoming the new rules, she said: “As long as the entrance fee isn ’ t too high, I think it ’ s acceptable. ”
“Why shouldn ’ t Turkey and the government take advantage of this place?
These funds can be channeled to preserve more religious places. ”
Hagia Sophia has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of Istanbul ’ s history since 1985.
Built by Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia was the largest place of worship in Christianity for nearly a thousand years, it was the main church during the Byzantine Empire, and from the seventh century, the emperor was crowned inside.
After the Ottomans entered Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.
On the orders of the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the building was converted into a museum in 1934 until the summer of 2020.
Hagia Sophia is as symbolically important to Orthodox Christians around the world as St. Peter ’ s Basilica is to Catholics.
After the building was converted into a mosque, criticism poured in from the Greek Orthodox Church.
The UNESCO Foundation also criticized the decision without consultation.
For Erdogan, turning the place into a mosque was his “childhood dream, ” as he himself said, and pleasing to religious voters.
A few external changes were made at the time, for example, a green carpet was placed above the marble floor.
It seems clear that all these things did not detract from the popularity of this teacher.
According to official statistics, some 13.6 million people visited the Hagia Sophia landmark in 2022, not all of them from Europe.
The number of visitors from Indonesia in particular has risen, Hagia Sophia Imam Binyamin Topoglu told Turkey ’ s Anadolu news agency in 2023.
The amount of the fees has not yet been determined.
Tourism Minister Ersoy says the proceeds will be spent on cultural assets, for excavation or preservation of monuments such as the Hagia Sophia.
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How did the role of Hagia Sophia change following the Ottoman conquest?

Hagia Sophia became a central Islamic religious site for centuries

Sultan Mehmed II converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque,

In 1934, following the foundation of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ordered its secularization, transforming it into a museum that preserved both Christian mosaics and Islamic features, symbolizing Turkey’s secular and multicultural heritage.

What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

Symbolized Turkey's secular reforms under Ataturk

In 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a decree reconverting Hagia Sophia into a mosque while retaining its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Title:

Content: Turkey officially opens the Byzantine church and museum "Khora" as a mosque (PHOTOS)
World News
"Kari Mosque" in the Museum and Monastery of "Khora"
Copy Link https: / / www.rt.com / xhpk
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday officially opened the Kari Mosque in Istanbul ’ s Byzantine Museum and Monastery of Khora, four years after the church dedicated a mosque to Muslims.
On Monday, Erdogan oversaw the official remote opening of the Khora mosque and a number of restored sites from the conference hall of his residence in Ankara.
Erdogan said during the opening ceremony, which was broadcast on Turkish television, "May it be a good start."
One of the first worshipers at the mosque told Anadolu Agency: “I have been waiting for its opening for four years, and I have been honored to pray in such a place. ”
Anadolu quoted another serum as saying: “Thank God for showing us these days, I hope we come here from time to time and do our prayers. ”
The site near the walls of the old city of Istanbul is famous for its fine mosaics and frescoes.
The church dates back to the 4th century, although the edifice took its present form during the 11th and 12th centuries.
Greece has criticized the Turkish government ’ s decision to return it to use as a mosque, accusing Ankara of “personal insult ” to another World Heritage site, saying the decisions to turn Hagia Sophia and Khora back into mosques are steps aimed at strengthening the support base of conservatives and the religious trend of Erdogan ’ s ruling party amid an economic downturn.
The museum was built "Khora" monastery, in 534, the building was converted into "Kari Mosque" at the beginning of the 16th century, it was used as a mosque for more than four centuries and was converted into a museum in 1945 by a Turkish ministerial decision.
In August 2020, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree on the conversion of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral and the Kari Museum, known as a “bottomless church ” in Turkish, into mosques.
The conversion of the two churches into mosques was praised by Muslims, but drew criticism from Greece and other countries that urged Turkey to protect important Byzantine monuments, both of which have been listed as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations.
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Since then, visitor management policies introduced separate entrances for worshippers and tourists, and, starting January 2024, an entry fee was implemented for tourists to fund conservation efforts as advised by UNESCO .

The 2020 reconversion elicited widespread controversy domestically and internationally, grounded in both religious and political concerns.

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Content: Earthquakes and rampant inflation: Why did Erdogan win again?
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Source: Hong Kong 01
Author: Liu Yanting
On May 28, Turkey held the second round of the presidential election.
Although Turkey's Supreme Electoral Council is not expected to announce the official results until June 1, according to preliminary election statistics, with 99.59% of the votes cast, the incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has 51.91% of the votes, defeating his opponent Kemal Kılçdaroğlu with 48.09% of the votes. Determine the rate of re-election.
This election has caused global concern.
First, people are curious about whether there will be a regime change in Turkey, changing its fierce cross-border diplomatic style.
Looking back over the past two years, since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022, Turkey has repeatedly played a fierce swing beyond the size of medium-sized countries, including facilitating the Russian-Ukrainian foreign ministers' talks in March 2022, blocking Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO in May, and announcing the "green light" in June, leading Russia to sign the Black Sea Food Agreement in July, and negotiating energy cooperation with Russia at the CICA summit in October. For the first time since the start of the war, senior officials have talked about launching a new round of military action in Syria, implying that it may threaten Russia ’ s and Iran ’ s geopolitical interests.
In between, the outside world is surprised by Erdoğan ’ s active actions, and also uncertain about Turkey ’ s opportunistic diplomatic style.
Second, Erdogan suffered two major shocks before the election, causing the outside world to generally not optimistic about his re-election, one is in 2022 for months to break through 80% of the serious inflation, the second is the earthquake disaster.
Among them, Turkey ’ s high inflation is the sequela of the 2018 economic crisis. The deep reason is that Turkey ’ s long-term economic overheating and political interest rate cuts have caused a linked financial storm after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates in Turkey. He lost power in big cities such as Istanbul and Ankara.
And the earthquake will also affect voters' support for Erdogan.
On February 6, 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake occurred in southeastern Turkey, killing nearly 50,000 people, and economic losses are even more incalculable.
After the disaster Erdoğan once faced criticism, public opinion criticized its failure to improve the phenomenon of uneven development and urban poverty, resulting in old buildings with low earthquake resistance being vulnerable to a strong earthquake, and fragile buildings are often difficult to get away from the collusion of officials and businessmen, cutting corners, the ruling Erdoğan and the positive development party are to blame.
However, from the results of this election, although the gap between the two people is less than 5%, but Krechidaloğlu is finally a step away from the door, showing that whether it is high inflation or an earthquake, can not prevent Erdogan from being re-elected.
In addition to the lack of integration of Turkish opposition forces, Erdogan ’ s success in mobilizing the new situation of “Turkey ’ s rise ” is also key.
The opposition is not well integrated.
First of all, although the polls of the Republican People's Party (CHP) party leader Krechidar Oulu once exceeded Erdoğan ’ s, making many foreign media boldly predict that Turkey will soon change, but focusing on the current state of Turkish politics, Erdoğan ’ s positive party is the strongest force, and the opposition ’ s long-term mountainous and independent government has not only offset the integration efforts to challenge Erdoğan, but also to some extent.
Looking at the interaction of Turkish opposition parties in recent years, there have been obvious signs of integration until the 2017 constitutional referendum.
At that time, Erdoğan greatly expanded the presidential power and removed the obstacles to re-election in the system, causing a collective panic among the opposition forces. The four major opposition parties, the Republican People's Party (İYü), the Good Party (İYü), the Happiness Party (SP) and the Democratic Party (DP), jointly formed the "State Union" (Millet İttifakı), advocating the restoration of the parliamentary system and abolition of the executive presidential system, hoping to curb the positive party and Erdoğan. Together with the Democratic and Progressive Party (DEVA), they formed the "Six Party Round Table" (Altılı Masa), which is seeking to jointly launch a presidential candidate representing the opposition forces and compete with Erdogan in 2023.
After all, Erdogan was the president at the time, with political resources such as the media and the judiciary, enough to crack down on various opposition forces, such as Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul from the Republican People ’ s Party, who was originally highly polled and regarded as a star of tomorrow enough to end Erdoğan ’ s 20 years in power, was sentenced to more than two years in prison in December 2022 for “suspected insult to the Supreme Electoral Council. ” He lost the right to run for president.
After Imam Oulu was forced out, the "six-party round table" did not immediately integrate new candidates, but entangled in ideological scuffles, political spoils distribution, until March 2023, it was determined to nominate CHP party leader Krechidar Oulu, but this nomination was initially not supported by the good party, the latter also threatened to withdraw from the "six-party round table".
After many days of consultations and political exchanges, Krechdarolu agreed to have Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Imam Oulu as vice presidents, and the good party agreed to stay at the "six-party round table" and support the nomination of Krechdarolu for election.
In fact, from the point of view of the composition of the structure, the only ideology that can unite the "six-party round table" is against Erdogan.
Because the Republican People's Party with the most seats is the centre-left pro-European secularism party, the Happiness Party is a Eurosceptic conservative party with Islamism, the Democratic Party is a centre-right nationalist party, the Democratic and Progressive Party is a centre-right pro-European party, the Future Party is a right-wing pro-European party, and the Good Party is a centre-right nationalist party.
In short, the parties have a combination of ideologies that straddle Islamism and secularism, and basically if Erdoğan and the AKP had not been in power for too long, the parties would have no incentive to integrate.
However, even if it is reluctantly integrated, the "six-party round table" is still divided, otherwise it will not be until two months before the election to determine the nomination of candidates; and after the confirmation of the presidential candidate, the "six-party round table" broke out in a new civil war on the list of parliamentary candidates, all parties want to strive for more security seats distribution, resulting in the continued difficulty of the list.
All these things are quite chilling in the eyes of Turkish voters: Erdoğan may have a monopoly on power and love the position of power, but the opposition forces are also only interested in the division of territory and political division of spoils, and have no intention of changing Turkey's development predicament.
Under the balance of the two, or some voters who are tired of Erdoğan, after going through a thousand turns of heart, they chose to continue to vote for the positive party and Erdoğan, instead of supporting the opposition forces whose governing ability is unknown and whose positions are mixed, resulting in the eventual defeat of Krechdar Olu by a small margin.
How Erdoğan mobilised the "rise of Turkey"
In addition to the weak integration of opposition forces and the failure to gather enough political energy, Erdoğan and the Positive Development Party are still able to gather support and call for votes under the impact of high inflation and earthquake disasters, which is also the key to the defeat of Krechdar Olu.
According to the results of the poll, voters in large cities whose wealth has been severely eroded by high inflation supported Krechdarolu in the election, including the top three cities of Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Adana, the fifth largest city; however, Bursa, the sixth largest city of Gaziantep, and the seventh largest city of Konya. (Konya) is still supporting Erdoğan, and Gaziantep is still the hardest hit area of the 2023 earthquake, but voters still vote for the current president who has been denounced by public opinion, and it is clear that Erdoğan still has a certain degree of political energy.
Looking at this source of energy, it is obvious that it is not all the economic achievements that have been downhill.
Looking back at Erdoğan ’ s path to power, he experienced high economic growth in Turkey during his term of office, which can escort him to power.
From 2008 to 2013, developed markets such as the United States, Europe and Japan adopted a number of rounds of quantitative easing policies, international "hot money" poured into emerging markets including Turkey, stimulating the latter's economic growth. Erdogan took advantage of the momentum to promote easy credit, ask the central bank to continue to cut interest rates, and promote large-scale infrastructure projects. On the altar alone, no one can resist.
However, after the US Federal Reserve released a possible interest rate hike in 2013, foreign investment was greatly withdrawn, and emerging market currencies, including the lira, began to depreciate, and Turkey ’ s economic growth continued to slow down. And...
In the process of coping with the crisis, Erdoğan obviously wants to sacrifice prices and preserve economic growth, so he used extreme economic means and insisted on cutting interest rates in the face of high inflation.
The result, while maintaining economic growth to a certain extent, has led to a sharp depreciation of the lira, soaring prices, a near collapse of the bond market, and widespread protests in major cities such as Istanbul.
But looking at Erdoğan ’ s political actions in the past 10 years, it can be seen that he has begun to actively mobilize public support in the military, historical traditions, and diplomatic fields of major powers to fill the “Turkish rise ” narrative under the slowdown in economic growth and make up for his political loss.
As far as the diplomatic tradition after the Cold War is concerned, Turkey is an intermediate power anchored in the Western world and, with its strategic position across Eurasia, moves among different groups of countries.
However, after the outbreak of the Arab Spring in 2010, the outside world saw a more "eastern" and "military power" Turkey: on the Egyptian issue, its support for the Muslim Brotherhood, its involvement in the local political situation; on the battlefield of Syria and Libya, it has successively sent troops to intervene in the civil war there since 2016, and successfully achieved certain results. In the Gulf field, Turkey and Iran have maintained close interaction with Qatar, to a certain extent, prompting the 2017 Qatar severance storm, but because Turkey and Iran insisted on not retreating, the final storm ended with Saudi concessions in 2021, and Turkey successfully maintained its political achievements in the Gulf.
Of course, Turkey's foreign military operations are not all fruitful results.
Taking the Syrian battlefield as an example, Turkey launched four military operations against Syria: the Euphrates Shield from 2016 to 2017, the Olive Branch in 2018, the Peace Spring in 2019 and the Spring Shield in 2020.
Since the "olive branch" operation, the Turkish army has not only attacked the Kurdish forces, but also exchanged fire with the Syrian government forces supported by the Russian side, causing strong dissatisfaction in Moscow.
After many unsuccessful coordination, the Russian army was brazenly engaged with Turkey in 2020, resulting in the scribbled end of the "spring shield", and Turkey can only be forced to obey the Russian-led order in northern Syria.
However, under the propaganda of the Erdogan government, Turkey is not clearly aware that Turkey lost to Russia, but to see the Turkish army fighting in northern Syria in order to fight terrorism, which is very encouraging for nationalists and patriotic people.
In addition, in the historical tradition, Erdogan ’ s most classic action is to announce in July 2020 the abolition of the 1934 cabinet decree, the end of the 86 years of Hagia Sophia ’ s museum years, and the restoration of its mosque status.
Although this has caused many Western countries to criticize, but Erdoğan is not without the basis of public opinion, because in the 2015 capture of Junstenburg memorial ceremony, many Turks have held morning prayers in the museum square, in 2018, the Turkish Islamic Association is publicly applied to hold worship in the museum, although it was finally rejected, but has attracted a lot of public support.
Therefore, Erdogan's decision to "liberate St. Sophia" is aimed at the Islamic resurgence in Turkey in recent years, hoping to draw the support of anti-Kemalist voters.
And in the great power diplomatic field, Turkey's action is not to be said, in addition to the neighboring Central Asia and the Middle East, the Russian-Ukrainian war under various violent swings across Eurasia, are Erdogan's excellent election materials.
Taking the March 2022 Russian-Ukrainian Foreign Minister ’ s talks in Turkey and the landing of the Black Sea Food Agreement in July as an example, Turkish state media vigorously promoted Erdogan ’ s “peacemaker ” role; as for blocking Finland and Sweden from joining NATO, Turkish state media used Erdogan ’ s“ defense of national interests ”, “no fear of offending the West ” and“ combating Kurdish terrorism ”.
Of course, under the burden of economic decline and governance for many years, the narrative situation of mobilizing military, historical traditions and great power diplomacy can play a role in Erdoğan ’ s election, which can only be determined by the election results.
Judging from the results of 51.91% to 48.09%, although the above actions did not create a brilliant victory, they were enough to defeat the opposition forces and guarantee Erdogan another five-year term, which obviously still has some effect.
However, Turkey ’ s high economic growth has ended, and how to buffer Turkey ’ s economic storm and find new solutions outside of “Erdoğan ’ s economics ” are difficult issues that cannot be solved in the short term.
After the election, Erdoğan ’ s challenge continued.
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Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

Religious critics, particularly Orthodox Christian leaders, have decried the move as diminishing the site's deep Christian heritage and as a violation of religious freedom.

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Content: After Hagia Sophia, Turkey converts a second ancient Byzantine church into a mosque

Hundreds of worshippers filled the narrow streets of Istanbul's Fatih district on Friday to hear the sounds of Friday prayers ringing out from the newly inaugurated Kariye Mosque.

Once known as the Chora Church, the site spent the last 79 years as a museum. But it is now the latest structure to be converted back into a mosque by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following the conversion of Hagia Sophia in 2020. While viewed as a triumph by many Turkish Muslims, the Greek Orthodox Church has decried it as an "ill-advised decision" that "makes a mockery of the Turkish government's commitment to religious tolerance and religious freedom."

Chora's conversion was announced shortly after Hagia Sophia's, but its opening for prayer was delayed by years of restoration work.

The showing for the first Friday prayers at Kariye was relatively quiet compared to Hagia Sophia, which drew hundreds of thousands who filled the streets with prayer rugs for blocks and blocks away from the building. By contrast, the crowd on Friday was relatively average for a mosque in one of Istanbul's more religiously conservative neighborhoods, where Friday worshippers frequently spill out onto the streets.

Both the Chora Church and Hagia Sophia are 4th-century Byzantine constructions. They spent nearly a millennium as Christian holy sites before being converted to mosques by the Ottomans after their conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century. Despite their conversions, they remained revered by Orthodox Christians. After the founding of a secular Turkish Republic in the early 20th century, the decision was made for both to be neither mosque nor church but simply museums.

"Both Hagia Sophia and Chora embodied Byzantine and Ottoman pasts, and they became symbols of co-existence and multi-faith living practices. Their conversion fundamentally implies a hierarchy, prioritizing the Islamic past over all other layers, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Jewish, Syriac, et al," Dr. Özgür Kaymak, a lecturer and researcher on minority rights at Istanbul's MEF University, told Religion News Service in an email.

Rededicating the sites as mosques is more than just a status change. According to Islamic tradition, artwork of human figures are forbidden in places of prayer, while in Orthodox Churches, icons of Christ, saints and other biblical figures are a defining feature.

In Hagia Sophia, the mosaics of Jesus and Mary have been covered with curtains since the conversion. While Erdoğan promised Hagia Sophia would remain fully accessible and free to all visitors, Turkey reneged on that earlier this year, reimposing an entrance fee on tourists and relegating them to the upper level, while the main floor is exclusive to Muslim worshippers.

Observers have also criticized the Turkish Directorate of Religion's caretaking of the site, noting damage that did not exist when it was under the purview of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Though Chora is significantly smaller than Hagia Sophia, it is home to some of the best-preserved examples of late-Byzantine art, including mosaics, icons and frescoes, and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

"For us it's a very important place because it remembers our culture and our traditions here," Father Evangelos Markantonis, an Orthodox priest who was leading a group of theology students to Chora on Friday, told Religion News Service.

"Though we cannot venerate as Orthodox Christians, we have to try to find things we can be united on. Only with dialogue and good deeds can we continue our lives," Markantonis, who is also a professor at the University of Athens, said when asked about the controversy.

Erdoğan had long refused calls from his right to convert churches like Hagia Sophia and Chora, telling supporters in 2018 to fill the nearby Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known in English as the Blue Mosque) before they talked about needing to pray in Hagia Sophia.

Nonetheless, he made an about-turn in 2020.

"My dear nation, the conquest of Istanbul and the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a Mosque are among the most glorious chapters in Turkish history," Erdoğan said at the time in a speech inaugurating the Hagia Sophia as a mosque.

"This is the most honorable day that Islam has been looking forward to, Greek Constantinople has become Turkish Istanbul," he added, quoting the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet.

"The resurrection of Hagia Sophia heralds the liberation of the al-Aqsa Mosque. The resurrection of Hagia Sophia is the footsteps of the will of Muslims across the world to come out of the interregnum," Erdoğan said in his concluding remarks.

Chora's opening as the Kariye Mosque comes just weeks after Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered its largest electoral defeat in two decades during Turkey's nationwide municipal elections.

"The recent conversion of Chora into a mosque may be due to Erdoğan's many problems, including his geopolitical power politics, his appeal to religio-nationalism to revive his electoral popularity after the March elections or his tactic to divert attention from Turkey's economic downturn," Kaymak said.

Many analysts have attributed the loss to AKP bleeding votes to the more Islamist-leaning New Welfare Party, which has pressured Erdogan over his response to the Israel-Hamas war and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Muslim worshippers at the mosque on Friday said they viewed its rededication as an Islamic site to be a national win for Turkey.

"This mosque is one of the symbols of the Conquest. We are proud and happy. There are very beautiful frescoes inside. They were also nicely renovated before they were closed. May it be good for our country and our nation," a bystander, Ahmet Öteyüzoğlu, told Turkish media.

"Thank God for these days. Not everyone has the opportunity in their lifetime," another bystander named Mehmet Çelik told the Turkish news service Anadolu Agency, in reference to having been able to pray at both the rededicated Hagia Sophia and Kariye Mosques.

However, Greece, the U.S. State Department and Orthodox Christian institutions worldwide have all criticized the decision to revert the structure into a mosque.

"I want to publicly express my intense dissatisfaction, interpreting the feelings of all Greek women and men, for the completely unnecessary conversion of a historic Byzantine temple, the Monastery of Chora, into a mosque. It is, I believe, an action that offends the rich history of Istanbul itself as a crossroads of cultures," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said shortly before leaving for Turkey for a planned meeting with Erdogan.

"We encourage the Turkish government to preserve and ensure access to sites and buildings that have hosted different religious communities in a way that respects their diverse histories," a State Department spokesperson said in response to questions from Greek media.

"The Turkish government's appropriation of both as the property of one faith group not only constitutes yet another sign of that government's contempt for Turkey's rich Orthodox Christian heritage but further imperils the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the remaining Christians of that land," the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate said in a statement.

© Religion News Service

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

What was the original historical and cultural significance of Hagia Sophia in the Byzantine Empire?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

The Ecumenical Patriarchate and Greek government officials publicly criticized the decision, highlighting the symbolic injury to Orthodox Christianity.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

Additionally, Western governments, including the U.S., expressed dissatisfaction, viewing the reconversion as a backward step for intercultural and interreligious coexistence.

Islamic tradition, which forbids figurative depictions in places of worship, led to the covering of Christian mosaics such as those of Jesus and Mary, further stirring objections as it symbolized the prioritization of the Islamic legacy over the site's complex multi-faith history.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Scholars analyzing the move observe that Erdoğan’s decision aligns with a broader strategy to reinvigorate Ottoman-Islamic identity amidst domestic political challenges like electoral setbacks and economic difficulties, representing a religio-nationalist appeal to his political base .

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

The decision aimed to rally anti-Kemalist voters.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the conservation and structural integrity of Hagia Sophia post-reconversion.

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Content: [ditty_news_ticker id="27897"] Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia - Orthodox Christian Laity

Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia

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Source: Greek Reporter

A still from a recently released video shows visitors rushing to take cover as fragments fall from the dome of Hagia Sophia. Credit: Daily Motion/BirGün

A video from 2022 that came to light recently shows fragments falling on visitors from the dome of Hagia Sophia, the former epicenter of Christian worship at Constantinople, today’s Istanbul.

The footage released by the Turkish newspaper, BirGün, raises serious questions over the safety of the former Orthodox Christian cathedral, now a mosque.

BirGün notably quoted officials as saying that “pieces are falling from the roof, due to the humidity created by the crowd, but no precautions are being taken”.

The president of the Turkish Art History Association, Serif Yasar, argued for restoration of the monument as soon as possible, suggesting that “If Hagia Sophia is not restored, it will collapse with the first earthquake.”

The monument was restored as a mosque three years ago after serving as a museum from 1935-2020 and has since received 21 million visitors, according to Turkey’s tourism and culture minister.

Yasar added that when the church was a museum, the scientific council overseeing it urged that groups of no more than 25 people should be allowed to enter the building at any one time.

This enormous lift in visitation has likely brought to the forefront the need for repairs and it was indeed reported in September that the Turkish government had decided to start long-term maintenance of Hagia Sophia.

Turkey to implement visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia

In early October Turkish historian Ilber Ortayli expressed fears that the large number of visitors to Hagia Sophia could lead to a catastrophic structural failure if not addressed immediately.

Writing in the Hürriyet daily, Ortayli said that the monument, which attracts three million pilgrims annually apart from tourists, has undergone significant damage since its conversion into a mosque.

He asserted that even a modest number of 20-30 thousand people annually, including scientists, historians, archaeologists, representatives of the Muslim religion, politicians, and public officials, could be considered excessive for the endurance of the monument.

In June 2022 a number of tiles of the ancient marble floors in Hagia Sophia were damaged by heavy machines used to clean the site.

In April 2022, The Turkish Association of Art Historians stated that the historic Imperial Gate in Hagia Sophia had been badly damaged.

The group posted a picture clearly depicting the damage to the oak wood of the 15-century-old gate.

Turkey unveiled plans in late October for a visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia, including charging foreign tourists with an entrance fee to be implemented starting Jan. 15.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said that extensive restoration work is underway in various sections of Hagia Sophia, now a mosque, with plans to progress to other parts upon their completion.

He emphasized that, based on UNESCO’s recommendations, a visitor management plan would be enforced to enhance the quality and safety of visits while preserving the historical significance of the site.

Related Articles
Officials argue for repairs to Hagia Sophia after footage shows fragments falling from the dome – Neos Kosmos

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Visible damage, including falling fragments from the dome, was widely publicized, prompting international experts to warn about the risks that increased visitor traffic and worship activities pose to the monument’s preservation.

Turkish authorities responded by implementing separation of worship spaces and tourist pathways, and instituting entrance fees for foreigners to support restoration efforts.

However, continued vigilance and restoration remain critical to safeguarding the site’s architectural and cultural heritage for future generations .

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35 Most Visited Countries in the World: 2024 Rankings

In this article, we will look at the 35 most visited countries in the world: 2024 Rankings. We have also looked the the growth projections for global tourism. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 10 Most Visited Countries in the World: 2024 Rankings.

The World Economic Outlook Report has highlighted the important role of tourism in global economic recovery, projecting a 3.0% growth in 2023 and 2.9% in 2024. Despite exceeding previous forecasts, this growth rate falls short of the 3.5% recorded in 2022, indicating ongoing pandemic impacts and geopolitical tensions, notably Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Economies heavily reliant on tourism exhibit greater resilience, with rapid recovery observed in countries where tourism contributes significantly to GDP. For instance, those with large tourism sectors, like France and Spain.

International tourism is set for a robust recovery in 2024, with a projected 2% growth above 2019 levels, according to UNWTO forecasts. In 2023, the sector observed remarkable resilience, with international tourism receipts reaching $1.4 trillion, representing about 93% of pre-pandemic levels, and total export revenues hitting $1.6 trillion, nearly 95% of 2019 figures. The economic contribution of tourism, measured in tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP), reached $3.3 trillion in 2023, confirming a close recovery to pre-pandemic levels.

This positive outlook is buoyed by strong industry indicators, with international air capacity and passenger demand already recovering around 90% of pre-pandemic levels by October 2023. Additionally, global occupancy rates in accommodation establishments surpassed November 2022 figures, reaching 65%. To read more about travelling, see 50 places to visit before you die.

Despite persistent economic and geopolitical challenges, including inflation and trade disruptions, the tourism sector remains resilient and poised for continued growth, driven by factors such as visa facilitation measures and robust travel demand from key source markets like China and the United States.

Istanbul claimed the title of the world's most visited city in 2023 with 20.2 million international arrivals, surpassing popular destinations like London and Paris. With relaxed visa requirements and a rich cultural heritage blending Asian and European influences, Istanbul's popularity continues to increase in 2024. Efforts to preserve its historic sites, like the iconic Hagia Sophia, are underway despite the challenges posed by mass tourism. It is worth noting that Istanbul is one of the cities with most beautiful women.

Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)’s Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) has seen remarkable growth, with over 35,000 travel agencies and more than 100,000 advisors globally utilizing its services. Despite initial challenges during the pandemic, Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)’s investment in TAAP has increased, with a major boost in staff and technology. This strategic desision has propelled Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)’s B2B revenue, witnessing a 26% increase year-over-year, as stated during the company's third-quarter earnings call in 2023. TAAP's platform is evolving to cater specifically to advisors' needs, with plans for a revamped user interface and enhanced payment capabilities slated for rollout in 2024. While exploring innovative technologies like generative AI, Expedia remains cognizant of advisors' indispensable role in personalized travel planning, aiming to integrate AI as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for human expertise.

Speaking of AI, Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) aims to leverage AI to reshape its trip-planning business, aiming to shift users away from starting their travel searches on Google. With a vast data repository of 70 petabytes, Expedias Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) plans to deploy AI to offer personalized travel recommendations based on users' preferences and past trips. By streamlining the travel planning process, Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) seeks to become the go-to platform for users, reducing reliance on external search engines like Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG).

On the other hand, Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) projects stable revenue growth, forecasting a 3% to 6% annualized increase in global revenue per available room (RevPAR) by 2025. This optimistic outlook is fueled by a resurgence in international travel following the easing of pandemic restrictions, supported by a strong dollar and rise of remote work encouraging travel abroad.

In 2023, Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) marked its 500th luxury hotel opening with The St. Regis Riyadh. With 5 more luxury properties to debut by year-end and 24 planned for 2024, Marriott's portfolio, spanning brands like The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, and JW Marriott, continues to grow.

Their notable additions include the second Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection vessel, Ilma, and new St. Regis locations in Los Cabos, Cap Cana, and Longboat Key. Additionally, EDITION Hotels plans to open The Jeddah EDITION in Saudi Arabia. Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR)’s expansion reaffirms its commitment to delivering unparalleled luxury experiences worldwide.

To read more about luxury experiences, see the largest cruise ships in the world.

A freight train rolling through the countryside carrying a full load of products.

Our Methodology

For our most visited countries in the world in 2024 list, we have relied on datapanda.org’s database on number of arrivals by country. The list is presented in ascending order of number of arrivals.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that uses a consensus approach to identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The website tracks the movement of corporate insiders and hedge funds. Our top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 stock index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). So, if you are looking for the best stock picks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

35. Switzerland

Number of Arrivals: 11.8m

Swiss tourism anticipates a 1.6% increase in overnight stays during the 2023/24 winter season, totaling 17.7 million stays, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. European guests, especially from Germany, are expected to boost numbers. Chinese visitors, though still below pre-Covid levels, are projected to rise in 2024.

34. Taiwan

Number of Arrivals: 11.9m

The Tourism Bureau within Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications oversees matters related to tourism. It is one of the top 50 most visited countries in the world.

Taiwan is forging ahead with its commitment to catering to senior travelers, revealing plans for a comprehensive Golden Years Tour certification system. Launched after the success of the Golden Years tourism brand in 2023, this initiative focuses on creating senior-friendly travel experiences across various hospitality sectors, including F&B, accommodation, sightseeing, shopping, and transportation. With a keen eye on the needs of older citizens, the program focuses on slow travel and age-appropriate itineraries.

33. Morocco

Number of Arrivals: 12.9m

Morocco has a stable tourism sector and is known for its coastal attractions, rich cultural heritage, and deep history. With the establishment of the Ministry of Tourism in 1985, the country has prioritized this industry. In 2018, Morocco welcomed 12.3 million tourists and since 2023, has had the highest number of arrivals out of the countries in Africa.

32. Denmark

Number of Arrivals: 13.3m

In 2018, Denmark attracted 30 million international arrivals, with tourists from neighboring Germany, Norway, and Sweden forming the majority. Overnight stays have gradually risen since 2014, reaching 16.6 million in 2018.

31. Saudi Arabia

Number of Arrivals: 13.6m

Saudi Arabia aims to welcome 30 million overnight tourists in 2024, with a revised 2030 target of 150 million visitors. The tourism sector's growth aligns with a broader economic expansion, with Saudi Arabia's GDP expected to rise by 4.1% in 2024. ATM 2024 will focus on innovation and sustainability, reflecting global trends towards net-zero travel.

30. Ukraine

Number of Arrivals: 14.2m

In January-June 2023, Ukraine collected UAH 85.471 million ($2.27 million) from tourist taxes, up from UAH 69.453 million ($1.85 million) in 2021. The tax, paid by hotel guests, contributed to the regional budget.

29. Czech Republic

Number of Arrivals: 14.3m

There is a long history of tourism in the Czech Republic. Prague is one of the most visited cities of the world, with 6–8 million visitors per year.  Czech Republic is definitely one of the top 10 tourist countries in Europe.

It is also one of the top countries for dental tourism

28. Singapore

Number of Arrivals: 15.1m

In 2019, Singapore welcomed 19.1 million international tourists, exceeding its population threefold. With English as the predominant among its four official languages, tourists find it convenient to communicate with locals, particularly during activities like shopping.

27. Indonesia

Number of Arrivals: 15.5m

From the paradisiacal beaches of Bali to the lush jungles of Borneo, and the ancient temples of Borobudur, Indonesia offers a tapestry of experiences with vibrant cuisine and warm hospitality.

26. United Arab Emirates

Number of Arrivals: 16.7m

In 2018, the tourist industry contributed over 164.7 billion dirhams to the country's GDP. The United Arab Emirates also has the most prosperous tourist industry among Gulf countries and has maintained its position as the leading tourist destination in the GCC. Dubai is expected to be one of the most visited cities in the world in 2024. As of 2018, tourism provided employment to more than 604,300 individuals in the United Arab Emirates.

25. Hungary

Number of Arrivals: 16.9m

Over 98% of Hungary's tourist demographic consists of visitors from Europe, with Austria, Germany, and Slovakia contributing the highest numbers of tourists to the country. The majority of tourists opt for car travel and typically have short stays.

24. Croatia Number of Arrivals: 17.4m

The tourism sector contributes to nearly 20% of Croatia's gross domestic product (GDP) as of 2021. Presently, Croatia has become a tourist hotspot in the Mediterranean as it welcomed an influx of 11.2 million tourists in the year 2021.

23. South Korea

Number of Arrivals: 17.5m

Seoul is a top spot for tourists. Other popular places in South Korea include Busan, a big city by the sea, Seorak-san National Park with its beautiful nature, Gyeongju, an old city with lots of history, and Jeju Island, which has a warm climate. It is one of the countries with highest number of international tourists

22. India

Number of Arrivals: 17.9m

India's tourism sector is set for a major upswing fueled by religious travel, with the opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya expected to attract an additional 50-100 million tourists annually. This increase surpasses the annual visitation rates of iconic global landmarks like the Taj Mahal and Mecca. Indian carriers have responded to the anticipated demand by ordering over 1,100 planes, indicating a stable growth trajectory.

21. Vietnam

Number of Arrivals: 18.0m

Vietnam's tourism sector has seen significant growth, with 18 million international arrivals in 2019 compared to 2.1 million in 2000. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is implementing strategies to diversify the industry.

20. Netherlands

Number of Arrivals: 20.1m

Tourism in the Netherlands contributes 5.4% to GDP and 9.6% to employment. In 2017, it hosted 17 million foreign tourists, predominantly from Germany, ranking it 20th globally for visitor numbers. It is one of the top countries visited by foreigners in 2024

19. Canada

Number of Arrivals: 22.1m

Canada has a flourishing tourism industry, drawing visitors with its diverse landscapes and cultural attractions. Key destinations include Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Vancouver, Niagara Falls, Vancouver Island, the Canadian Rockies, Okanagan Valley, Churchill, and Ottawa-Gatineau. Canada is also home to some of the most attractive people

18. Poland

Number of Arrivals: 22.1m

Since joining the European Union in 2004, Poland has seen a notable increase in tourism, boasting over 21 million international arrivals in 2019. The country's diverse attractions range from southern mountains to northern beaches, with Kraków, the most visited city.

17. Hong Kong

Number of Arrivals: 23.8m

During Hong Kong's Lunar New Year holiday from February 10 to 17, over 1 million mainland Chinese visitors are expected, constituting 80-85% of pre-pandemic levels. The Immigration Department anticipates 7.5 million trips by Hong Kong residents and tourists during this period, with 6 million trips through land boundary control points. It is one of the top 20 most visited countries in the world in 2024.

16. Russia

Number of Arrivals: 24.4m

In 2022, Russian tourism experienced a huge decline, with only 200,100 foreign visitors, with a 96.1% drop from pre-pandemic and pre-2022 invasion of Ukraine levels. This downturn contrasts sharply with the rapid growth Russia had seen since the late Soviet era, initially in domestic tourism and later in international visits.

15. Portugal

Number of Arrivals: 24.6m

Portugal attracts millions of tourists annually, drawn to its cities, historic landmarks, beaches, and religious sites. In 2019, it welcomed 27 million visitors, with popular destinations including Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, the Portuguese Riviera, Madeira, Sintra, Óbidos, and Fátima.

Portugal is also one of the best countries to live and work in 2024.

14. Malaysia

Number of Arrivals: 26.1m

Tourist arrivals from Türkiye to Malaysia increased by 10.8% in Jan-Nov 2023, totaling 15,623 visitors compared to 2019 figures. This growth is attributed to the efforts Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture campaigns. Malaysia is one of the most popular travel destinations for honeymoon in 2024.

13. Greece

Number of Arrivals: 31.3m

Tourism in Greece has been a cornerstone of its economy owing to its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. With 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and stunning coastlines, Greece has been a magnet for tourists since the 1970s.

On a side note, Greece is one of the countries with the highest labor shortages in the world

12. Austria

Number of Arrivals: 31.9m

Vienna remains a primary draw for tourists throughout the year, attracting significant numbers both in the summer and winter seasons. Salzburg, while receiving about one-fifth of the tourist overnight stays compared to Vienna, still holds the second position in popularity during the summer.

11. Japan

Number of Arrivals: 32.3m

Japan's tourism industry is vital to its economy, drawing 31.88 million international visitors in 2019. There are 21 World Heritage Sites in Japan like Himeji Castle and Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and Nara. It is 11th in our list of most visited countries in the world 2024 rankings by country.

It is also one of the most respected countries in Asia.

Click here to see the 10 Most Visited Countries in the World: 2024 Rankings.

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Disclosure: None. 35 Most Visited Countries in the World: 2024 Rankings is originally published on Insider Monkey.

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The political dimension of the controversy is pronounced.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

The decision aimed to rally anti-Kemalist voters.

Erdoğan’s move is widely interpreted as reinforcing his political narrative centered on reviving Turkey’s Ottoman and Islamic identity, consolidating support among conservative and religious voters.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

The decision aimed to rally anti-Kemalist voters.

At the same time, it alienates secular Turkish groups and minority communities who see the change as undermining Turkey’s secular heritage and pluralism.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

The decision aimed to rally anti-Kemalist voters.

Internationally, UNESCO officially criticized the decision, emphasizing the lack of prior consultations and warning about the impact on the site's universal value.

What was UNESCO's main complaint about the reconversion?

Entities such as the American Council for the Liberation of Hagia Sophia advocate for restoring the building’s Christian worship status and have intimated legal challenges should diplomatic solutions falter.

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Content: Hagia Sophia must once again become a place of Christian worship, demands the American Council for the Liberation of Hagia Sophia.
For a start, according to the organization, it is possible to allow liturgies in Hagia Sophia, preserving its museum status.
Although Christians still perceive this cathedral captured together with Constantinople in 1453 as one of the most important shrines.
In case of refusal, the “Council ” intends to appeal to the ECHR.
However, the situation around Hagia Sophia is much more complicated; the observer of IA REGNUM Stanislav Stremidlovsky analyzes the recent events around the former main temple of Byzantium.
Erhan Elaldı – Anadolu Agency
The 564th anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople was celebrated by the Hagia Sophia as a museum.
What is the 565th anniversary?
The head of the “Council ”, American politician Chris Spirou, has already been declared a provocateur by the Turkish authorities.
Today, when Erdogan is increasingly moving away from “his overseas partners ” at least in terms of the desired image of the president, and the new owner of the White House pays much more attention to Middle Eastern Christians than Obama, the situation is clearly changing.
There are already hints that Hagia Sophia from the museum will become a mosque.
At the same time, Erdogan ’ s victory in the last referendum made the president a debtor of domestic Anatolia (at least she believes so), who gave him their votes.
The Anatolian Youth Association strongly opposes any manifestations of non-Muslim faith in Turkish society.
For three years now, they have been trying to make Hagia Sophia a mosque.
And although Erdogan is in no hurry to meet, the Association expects decisive measures from him.
Where the Turkish president is inclined and what Hagia Sophia, cathedral or mosque can become, read here: Internal Anatolia, who supported Erdogan, demands to make Hagia Sophia a mosque
Read other articles by Stanislav Stremidlovsky on the relationship of world religions.

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

European governments have also expressed concern over the precedent the reconversion sets for cultural heritage management and interfaith respect .

For Istanbul tour guides, the Hagia Sophia's reconversion and ensuing controversy present challenges in navigating sensitive conversations with tourists, particularly those from Western and Orthodox Christian backgrounds who may be distressed or critical.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

Experts advise adopting a diplomatic and neutral stance that acknowledges the site's complex history as a shared symbol of Byzantine Christian and Ottoman Islamic heritage.

What did the CALHSC president urge regarding decisions on Hagia Sophia?

Consider both Muslim and Christian voices

Guides are encouraged to explain the factual timeline, including the 2020 change, in terms of Turkey’s religious, political, and cultural context without adopting partisan tones.

Emphasis on the site's UNESCO status and ongoing conservation efforts can instill confidence in its protected status.

Highlighting the coexistence reflected in prior eras and the current separation of functions between worship and tourism helps frame the narrative as one of cultural continuity and respectful accommodation.

This approach helps balance diverse visitor perspectives, foster respectful dialogue, and maintain an inclusive tour experience .

What did the CALHSC president urge regarding decisions on Hagia Sophia?

Consider both Muslim and Christian voices

In conclusion, the Hagia Sophia stands at the intersection of history, religion, politics, and culture, making its 2020 reconversion a matter layered with significance and controversy.

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Content: Olivia Caputo’s Luxe Escape to Malta! Plus! Her Weekend In Istanbul

by The Daily Front Row

Influencer and model Olivia Caputo visited Malta recently and writes in with highlights from her Mediterranean adventure!

Interested in time traveling? Have a preference for the finer things in life? Look no further than Malta for your next luxury trip. I have never experienced a trip like this, and by the end of this travel diary I hope you’ll have added Malta to your bucket list. Malta is a small Mediterranean island nation 60 miles south of Sicily with a fascinating history. You’ll be transported instantly to medieval times as you walk through its fortified cities – but don’t worry – you won’t need to compromise on luxury just because you are visiting sites dating back to the 18th century.

I began my trip by being spoiled on Turkish Airlines. There aren’t any direct flights to Malta from New York, so we connected in Istanbul. After experiencing the true treat that is Turkish Airlines Business Class, I wouldn’t mind an even longer flight with them in future. The service was impeccable, and the food was delicious. Put it this way: I would be a regular at a Turkish Airlines restaurant if they had one!

I spent my first three nights in central Malta at the Corinthia Palace. The Corinthia Palace is exactly what you would expect from a palace. It’s clean, comfortable, and secure, with luxury touches in every corner and the hotel has a rich history. In 1962, it opened as a restaurant in a restored, centuries-old villa. A few years later, the hotel was added as an extension to the villa and more recently, the Athenaeum Spa was added. I spent my first morning in Malta unwinding at the spa after the long flight, and it was everything my body needed. I spent time in the private Vitality Suite before my massage treatment. The Vitality Suite is a true oasis equipped with a sauna, steam room, showers, a heated pool, and more, to prepare you for your treatment. It’s the key to recovering from jet lag, if you ask me.

One of my favorite activities in Malta was taking daily walking tours around the island’s old fortified cities and learning about their history. As soon as I met my guide, Clive Cortis of Malta Private Tour, I knew I was in good hands. Clive’s extensive knowledge painted a perfect picture of Maltese history.

On the main island of Malta, the two must-see cities are Mdina and Valletta. Mdina, the old capital city of Malta and now nicknamed the “Silent City,” sits strategically atop a hill and is hard to miss. I immediately noticed the city when driving through the countryside on my first day. When walking the narrow winding streets of Mdina, the quietness of the “Silent City” helps you to imagine what it was really like to once live there. There is something truly mystical about being in a fortress with panoramic views of the island.

Valletta, the capital city, is quite a bit livelier than Mdina. Valletta was founded in 1566 and sits on a peninsula between two natural harbors and it’s filled with historical landmarks including St. John’s Co-Cathedral, The Saluting Battery, and stunning views of the Grand Harbor. There are also many restaurants, cafes, and bars where you can try some traditional Maltese dishes like pastizzi or lampuki.

After my stay at the Corinthia, I spent a couple of nights in the Malta Marriott Hotel and Spa. The Marriott is in a great location to explore more of Malta. The hotel sits on St. Julian’s Peninsula, which is very close to Valletta.

My first order of business while staying in this area was visiting two of the most esteemed designers in Malta. The Charles & Ron Café is an absolute must-visit for fashion enthusiasts. You can enjoy a decadent breakfast with a view of the latest Charles & Ron runway collection displayed on the wall in front of you. Charles & Ron creates beautiful pieces with bold colors and structures, designed to make you stand out in a crowd. You can expect to see one of their upcoming collections at NYFW soon, COVID restrictions permitting.

Speaking of delicious food, the food and wine scene in Malta is exquisite. Many restaurants source local ingredients and the quality shows. My favorite culinary experience of the trip was at Taste History. It’s an opportunity to quite literally taste history. Curators and chefs come together to analyze artifacts, paintings, and documents, and then recreate recipes from the 18th century in Malta. At Taste History, I indulged in local mussels, charred octopus, a spicy lamb dish with eggplant and local sheep’s milk yogurt, and coffee flavored sorbet. The sorbet the most interesting dish because we’re talking about a recipe from a time when Malta had no refrigeration or ice. How was this possible? They would take a special boat to Sicily and get ice from Mount Etna and add salt to keep the ice frozen on the journey back to Malta. Then they mixed brewed coffee, vanilla, and sugar, with the ice to create a sorbet. It was comparable to what we know now as shaved ice, but fascinating that in the 18th century, the industrious Maltese were able to create this refreshing frozen dessert. Taste History was easily the most interesting culinary experience of my life.

Finally, I traveled to Gozo, a smaller island off Malta’s northwest coast. Gozo is just a short ferry ride away, but it feels like a remote island getaway. It’s much smaller than the main island and has a slower pace. Don’t miss a visit to see the view from the Mixta Cave, located on the eastern side of Ramla Bay. This may have been my favorite view in all of Gozo. After taking a walk down an unassuming path, the cave opens up to breathtaking views of the Ramla Il-Hamra Beach. Gorgeous!

I only spent one night in Gozo and to make the most of it, I stayed at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, a tranquil hideaway near the coast. The service at the Kempinski was impeccable—the staff really goes above and beyond to ensure you have a relaxing, comfortable stay. The hotel is located in close proximity to Goza’s must-see landmarks like the iconic Dwejra Bay and Mixta Cave. Needless to say, visiting this little Mediterranean island was an absolute dream. I can’t wait to go back and experience the wonder that is Malta all over again.

Olivia’s Weekend in Istanbul

I flew Turkish Airlines from Malta back to New York City and since there are no direct flights, I made a stop in Istanbul and decided to stay the weekend. I had never been to Turkey before and it sure was a Turkish delight.

With such a short stay, I had to make sure I covered the most important things to see. Once I landed, I went straight out to see the sights. I didn’t even check into my hotel. My first stop was the Galata Tower; a medieval stone tower with panoramic views of Istanbul. I’d highly suggest getting tickets to visit the very top to see the breathtaking views at sunset.

After my visit to the Galata Tower, I checked into my hotel, the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus, which ended up being the perfect location. Despite the crazy traffic in Istanbul, I was never a long drive from the places I wanted to visit.

When I got to my room and walked out to see the view from my eight floor balcony, I was surprised to see I was far above the clouds. The clouds were sitting just below my balcony—it was crazy! I didn’t end up seeing the complete view from my balcony until the next morning when the clouds and fog had cleared, but the view of the Bosphorus was just the most beautiful sight to wake up to.

On my second day, which was my only full day, I had a jam-packed itinerary. The first half of the day was my favorite of the whole trip. We started the day at the Topkapi Palace Museum and it was more amazing than I could have anticipated. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Topkapi Palace served as the main residence to all of the Ottoman sultans. Today, it still has all the wonder of an ancient palace, but has been transformed into a museum. You can see what the palace looked like when it was a residence, and you can walk into another room and see ancient religious artifacts, like Moses’ staff or Joseph’s turban.

Our next stop was Holy Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century as a Christian church and has been through many changes since then. In subsequent centuries, Hagia Sophia became a mosque, a museum, and then a mosque once again, which it remains today. I felt so small inside those walls. It’s absolutely enormous and just beautiful inside.

The rest of the afternoon was spent visiting art exhibit after art exhibit. Any time I have ever thought of Istanbul, I had never thought of the art scene but let me tell you… it’s taking over. We visited Istanbul Modern, the Istanbul Cinema Museum, and the Atatürk Cultural Center, better known as AKM.

Each of these art exhibits displayed the work of artists not only local to Istanbul, but across the globe. If you are an art aficionado, you must check out the exhibits Istanbul has to offer.

Two nights in Istanbul simply was not enough time—but I am grateful I got a taste of the culture and can’t wait to go back!

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