Burcu Ozdemir Takes the Helm at Turkish Tourism Office in Paris
Paris, June 23, 2026 – Burcu Ozdemir, an archaeologist by training, is set to officially succeed Fatos Ozsoy as the Director of the Culture and Information Service at the Turkish Embassy in Paris on July 4th. The announcement was made on Monday evening during a ceremony held at the Turkish Tourism Office on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, marking an emotional transition.
A New Chapter for Turkish Tourism in France
Fatos Ozsoy, who had previously served in New York before arriving in Paris in 2022, bid farewell to her colleagues and partners. She will be moving to Ankara to take on a new role within the Ministry of Tourism. Burcu Ozdemir, with her background in archaeology and six years of experience at UNESCO from 2014 to 2020, is fluent in French and is expected to continue developing relations with French partners, including tour operators, travel agencies, and airlines, as well as the French media.
An Emotional Farewell and a Warm Welcome
The transition ceremony was filled with emotional moments. The event was preceded by a concert featuring Turkish pianist Firat Dariyerli and cellist Laure Volpato. Their performance offered a unique “sound journey, at the crossroads of East and West, like a bridge between two worlds,” blending the grand French lyrical school with the rich, asymmetric rhythms and ornamented melodies of Turkish piano. Following the concert, Fatos Ozsoy expressed gratitude to her team and partners for their collaborative efforts in promoting Turkey as a destination, with tears revealing her deep attachment to Paris as she prepared to leave the French capital.
Burcu Ozdemir, in turn, expressed her “joy in taking over” and her confidence in having “many opportunities to work” with the partners present. Her new role comes at a crucial time for Turkish tourism. In 2025, Turkey welcomed nearly 64 million visitors and generated over 65 billion dollars in tourism revenue, marking a record-breaking year. The excellent figures from early 2026 had confirmed its status as a major global destination. However, recent geopolitical tensions, particularly attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, have impacted the international tourism industry, and Turkey has not been immune to these challenges. In the first quarter of 2026, Turkey welcomed 9.2 million international visitors.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the uncertain context, which was not extensively discussed during the Monday evening event, the gathering was characterized by sharing, discovery, and conviviality surrounding the destination of Turkey. The celebration continued with a buffet of Turkish flavors and two immense cakes, maintaining a cheerful atmosphere despite the oppressive heat.
Burcu Ozdemir’s appointment signals a renewed focus on strengthening Turkey’s tourism presence in France. Her expertise and linguistic skills are expected to be valuable assets in navigating the current landscape and fostering continued growth in tourism from France to Turkey.
