Evaluation of Istanbul Port in Cruise Tourism in Terms of Brand Value

Istanbul is one of oldest cities in the world which hosted a lot of civilizations during historical ages. The characteristic results in combination of both time and place related legacy. As from the first ages till Ottoman time, Istanbul by showing a great landscape with historical and cultural places is like a outdoor museum. All these characteristics helped Istanbul to host many tourism activities. One type of these activities is Cruise Tourism. In recent years as an alternative tourism type with an increasing economic growth and attendance, Cruise Tourism, is a tourism type in tourism vitality that includes recreational actions. Cruise Tourism especially provides great support in economics terms to destinations with maritime and cultural tourism potential. In general cruise tourism, without the intention to transportation, clearly based on trips to destinations decided before departure from origin, daily visits to historical and cultural areas during each call and as well as vacation with a lot of activities during voyage. Cruise Tourism has achieved an important place in international tourism with a big progress in recent years. As per the data’s from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) more than 16,000,000 people do travel with cruise ships. Combining transportation, accommodation, food/ beverage supplies and entertainment activities in one hand in a sngle place despite other tourism types is the main reason that Cruise Tourism is highly preferred. Accordingly with a single pricing for all activities makes Cruise Tourism much cheaper and advantageous than other classis tourism types providing same services. Istanbul stays to be the leading port that cruise ships do call at in Turkey. In 2013, around 689,000 people have visited Istanbul by 381 calls by cruise ships. World Cruise Companies have announced Istanbul as Turn-Around-Port-Home Port and got it in progress programme. In this regard, it is important to make necessary arrangements for Istanbul to sustain Istanbul’s brand name achieved nowadays in a great competition. This study briefly mentions the development of Istanbul’s historical progress in terms of cultural legacy, as well provides detailed search about cruise tourism history, progress up