The number of people who want to spend their summer holidays exploring rather than just relaxing is increasing every year. According to Coral Travel data, this trend significantly boosted demand for cultural tours in the 2026 summer season. Reservations for Cyprus Cultural Tours reached three times last year's figures, while Lycian and Black Sea tours saw an increase of over 40 percent.

With the strengthening of experience-oriented travel, holidaymakers are turning to routes that offer history, nature, gastronomy, and local life alongside sea, sand, and sun. Cultural tours are also gaining increasing interest by providing an opportunity to closely experience the historical heritage, natural beauties, and culinary culture of the visited region.

Lycian route brings together nature, history, and flavors

Lycian Tours, one of the most preferred cultural routes in the summer months, brings together the natural and historical riches of the Mediterranean in destinations such as Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Kayaköy, Saklıkent Canyon, and Dalyan. The 12 Islands boat tour and the Azmak River trip included in the programs also provide an opportunity to explore the region's unique nature from different perspectives. The seafood and local delicacies of Mediterranean cuisine complete the gastronomic experience of the tour.

High demand for Black Sea and Cyprus

Black Sea tours stand out with their cool plateaus, lush green nature, and rich cultural heritage. Programs covering Uzungöl, Ayder Plateau, Fırtına Valley, and Zilkale, as well as Batumi, offer guests the opportunity to explore both the Eastern Black Sea and this colorful city on Georgia's Black Sea coast in a single trip. The region's local cuisine and Batumi's distinct gastronomic culture are also among the tour's notable experiences.

Cyprus Cultural Tours, which have been on the rise in the last two years, offer the opportunity to closely experience the island's historical and cultural heritage at important stops such as Kyrenia, Nicosia, Famagusta, and Bellapais. Programs prepared with Mediterranean living culture, local cuisine, and historical structures are attracting intense interest from holidaymakers who want to experience culture and gastronomy together.

Experience-oriented travel approach strengthens

Mehmet Kamçı, General Manager of Coral Travel Turkey, stated that natural and cultural destinations highlighted on social media also influence travel preferences. Kamçı said that routes with strong stories are gaining increasing interest. He added that cultural tours are no longer just about seeing historical and natural beauties but have transformed into a holistic travel approach that also encompasses the region's gastronomy, living culture, and local experiences.

Emphasizing that capacities on popular routes are filling up rapidly, Kamçı said: “The understanding of holidays is becoming more experience-oriented every year. Our guests want to explore the history of their destination, get to know the local culture, and experience the cuisine of that region. This year, interest in our Cyprus Cultural Tours, in particular, has reached three times last year's figures, and we are also seeing an increase of over 40 percent in our Lycian and Black Sea tours. We anticipate that routes combining culture, nature, and gastronomy will continue to attract interest in the coming period.”

Early booking and diverse transportation options

Coral Travel aims to make cultural tours accessible to wider audiences with early booking opportunities and seasonal campaigns offered during the summer season. While flight-inclusive programs are preferred by guests who want to save time, bus tours stand out with their economical structure and rich route content. Professional guiding services and planned itinerary programs also make the cultural tour experience more comprehensive. Image: © Coral Travel