Şanlıurfa Prepares for Tourism Boost as Super Cup Match Between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe Looms

The bustling city of Şanlıurfa is abuzz with excitement and anticipation as it gears up to host the highly anticipated 2023 Super Cup match between Istanbul rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe on April 7.

Şanlıurfa, known for its rich culture and gastronomy scene in the southeastern region of Turkey, is poised to witness a significant surge in tourism with the influx of sports enthusiasts coming to witness the clash between the two football powerhouses.

Müslüm Çoban, the secretary-general of the Şanlıurfa Regional Tourist Guides Association, expressed the city’s commitment to ensuring a warm welcome for all visitors, emphasizing the importance of this match in promoting Şanlıurfa on a wider scale.

Welcoming the incoming guests, Çoban stated, “As tourism professionals, we are actively preparing to embrace our visitors with open arms. In case of full hotel occupancy, we are ready to extend hospitality by accommodating guests in our homes, a practice we successfully implemented during the 2010 Turkish Cup final.

“The previous hosting experience allowed us to forge lasting connections with our guests, and we are eager to replicate that success. The upcoming Super Cup match holds immense potential to elevate Şanlıurfa’s profile, invigorate the local economy, and bolster various sectors. Our ultimate goal is to provide a memorable experience for our guests, ensuring they depart with fond memories and a desire to return,” he added.

Rahime Yaşar, vice president of the Şanlıurfa Tourism Professionals Association, echoed the sentiments, highlighting the widespread economic benefits the Super Cup match will bring to the city.

“From spice vendors to hotel operators, taxi drivers to souvenir merchants, every sector stands to gain from this event. We aspire to host more such significant gatherings in Şanlıurfa and the broader southeast Anatolian region, inviting visitors to explore iconic sites like Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, Balıklıgöl, and our museums, and indulge in our delectable local cuisine,” she remarked.

Representing travel agencies in the region, Mahmut Doğan emphasized the unique opportunity the match brings for visitors to immerse themselves in Şanlıurfa’s historical sites and tourist attractions.

“The palpable excitement surrounding the Super Cup is already palpable throughout the city. We encourage our guests to discover cultural treasures like Karahantepe, Göbeklitepe, Balıklıgöl, and the array of museums while savoring our authentic cuisine. We are optimistic about the positive outcomes for all sectors, assuring visitors a fulfilling and joyful experience during their stay in Şanlıurfa,” he underlined.