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"WE organised wedding events for 88 different nationalities. That's something else!" said Murat Ozguc, owner of Turkiye Weddings in Cappadocia, a tourism hub in central Turkiye.
In Ozguc's view, Cappadocia, located in the Nevsehir province, is poised to become a major destination for loving couples seeking a "unique venue" when tying the knot.
Ozguc takes pride in having organised the first international wedding in Cappadocia many years ago. Since then, he has officiated dozens of other weddings in a boutique style.
Visitors to Cappadocia, with more than 90% coming from abroad, typically stay for just one or two nights, seeking to "become one" in this unique setting. Married couples who wish to renew their wedding vows are also among the clientele.
In recent years, couples have increasingly prioritised experiences over traditional weddings, with some opting for destination weddings to immerse themselves in a new and beautiful cultural setting, Ozguc noted.
Cappadocia, renowned for its hot air balloon rides over distinctive geological formations called "fairy chimneys", is also known for its cave churches, rock houses, and underground cities.
Ozguc said that couples can stay in exclusive cave hotels, visit archaeological sites with their guests, and explore the local cultural landscape in Cappadocia.
"Couples are seeking experiential settings to reflect their unique stories without the hassle, and what better place to do so than Cappadocia, which is also known for its pleasant climate?" he said.
Last year, Cappadocia attracted nearly five million tourists, according to data from the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry, which is also focused on promoting the region as a major wedding destination.
Go Turkiye, the country's official tourism promotions agency, recently added a special section on its website dedicated to Cappadocia, and hotels in the region are constructing wedding halls on their premises.
"If you want something different, something extraordinary, there's nothing quite like Cappadocia with its rich heritage and natural beauty," said Arda Heb, provincial culture and tourism director of Nevsehir.
"With over 500 weddings organised in 2023, Cappadocia is emerging as a top international wedding venue," Heb said. "The cost of a boutique wedding in Cappadocia is much more affordable due to logistics," he added.
Despite its appeal as a prime wedding destination, local officials and business insiders express some concern about the region's future allure. Turkiye's high inflation in recent years could deter potential brides and grooms.
Official data released in early August showed Turkiye's annual inflation rate cooling to 61.78% in July, marking the second consecutive month of deceleration, but price pressures remain.
"High inflation has been an issue for the past couple of years. Turkiye has become expensive, especially for food and drinks," Ozguc said. – Xinhua
