Culture and Tourism
Located at the intersection of Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean Region, the TRC1 Region has historically been a crossroads of various civilizations, cultures, and beliefs. Traversed by the historic Silk Road, the region has maintained its identity as a center of culture and commerce from past to present. In this geography, where the earliest civilizations emerged, remnants of ancient settlements have survived to the present day, and religious, commercial, and social structures have continued to function throughout history. Moreover, the region keeps its cultural heritage alive through traditional handicrafts.
According to 2024 data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, there are 655 registered archaeological sites in the TRC1 Region, 649 of which are classified as archaeological sites. In terms of site concentration, Gaziantep and Adıyaman stand out among the provinces.
According to the 2023 cultural statistics from TURKSTAT, there are a total of 30 libraries in the TRC1 Region, housing 510,383 books. The 60 cinema halls operating in the region hosted 502,328 viewers, while 7 theater halls welcomed a total audience of 44,639.
TRC1 Region – Cultural Statistics
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Number of Public Libraries | 1,295 | 30 | 12 | 14 | 4 |
| Number of Books in Public Libraries | 24,204,501 | 510,383 | 196,542 | 245,893 | 67,948 |
| Number of Users in Public Libraries | 33,561,919 | 698,464 | 353,63 | 218,307 | 126,527 |
| Number of Theatre Halls | 808 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Number of Theatre Attendees | 6,279,512 | 44,639 | 0 | 43,339 | 1,3 |
| Number of Theatre Performances | 27,399 | 136 | 0 | 131 | 5 |
| Number of Cinema Halls | 2,618 | 60 | 19 | 37 | 4 |
| Number of Cinema Attendees | 31,005,844 | 502,328 | 38,009 | 451,192 | 13,127 |
Source: TURKSAT, 2023
According to end-of-year 2024 statistics from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a total of 1,139,985 guests stayed at ministry-certified tourism facilities in the TRC1 Region, resulting in 1,711,440 overnight stays. The average length of stay in the region's provinces remained below the national average of 2.6 days. Additionally, the occupancy rates of tourism facilities in the region were lower than the national average of 51.91%.
TRC1 Region – Tourism Statistics
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Number of Arrivals at Facilities | 83.243.556 | 1.139.985 | 110.266 | 1.014.366 | 15.353 |
| Number of Overnight Stays | 216.017.715 | 1.711.444 | 172.484 | 1.512.874 | 26.086 |
| Average Length of Stay (days) | 2,6 | - | 1,56 | 1,49 | 1,7 |
| Occupancy Rate (%) | 51,91 | - | 28,45 | 37,71 | 36,88 |
Source: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Accommodation Statistics of Ministry-Certified Facilities, 2024
According to end-of-year 2022 statistics from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a total of 242,268 guests stayed in municipality-certified tourism facilities located in the TRC1 Region, resulting in 351,192 overnight stays. The average length of stay in the region’s provinces remained below the national average of 2.3 days. In terms of occupancy rates, Adıyaman and Kilis were close to the national average of 45.58%, while Gaziantep stood out with a notably higher rate of 63.37%.
TRC1 Region – Tourism Statistics
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Number of Arrivals at Facilities | 24.588.517 | 242.268 | 66.432 | 154.685 | 21.151 |
| Number of Overnight Stays | 56.620.054 | 351.192 | 118.553 | 189.482 | 43.157 |
| Average Length of Stay (days) | 2,3 | - | 1,78 | 1,22 | 2,12 |
| Occupancy Rate (%) | 45,58 | - | 45,03 | 63,37 | 46,16 |
While there are 7,089 ministry-certified accommodation facilities across Turkey, this number is 86 in the TRC1 Region. The region has a total capacity of 5,763 rooms and 11,561 beds, with Gaziantep having the highest capacity. In contrast, the number of facilities, rooms, and beds in Adıyaman and Kilis remains well below the regional average.
TRC1 Region – Ministry-Certified Accommodation Facilities
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Number of Facilities | 7,089 | 86 | 11 | 73 | 2 |
| Number of Rooms | 566,267 | 5,763 | 790 | 4,919 | 54 |
| Number of Beds | 1,187,400 | 11,561 | 1,579 | 9,882 | 100 |
Source: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Statistics on Ministry-Certified Facilities, 2025