# Samsun tourism and infrastructure development > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/samsun-tourism-and-infrastructure-development > Updated: 2026-08-27T17:10:08.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Tourism in the Turkish Black Sea city of Samsun has seen significant growth, with visitor arrivals increasing by 13.68% during the January–May 2026 period. According to the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), the city hosted 236,352 visitors during this timeframe. A notable shift in foreign demographics occurred as German travelers, accounting for 11.05% of foreign visitors, overtook Georgian tourists as the primary international source. To support this growth and broader regional development, local authorities are focusing on infrastructure and investment. Discussions led by Governor Orhan Tavlı and the Middle Black Sea Development Agency (OKA) have centered on creating a roadmap for artificial intelligence-supported data center investments through university-industry cooperation. Building on these efforts, Samsun is now implementing strategic initiatives to enhance its digital, industrial, and environmental infrastructure. A new protocol signed between the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality and OKA aims to develop a qualified technical workforce for high-value sectors, including automotive parts, metal processing, defense, and medical industries. Training will focus on advanced technologies such as CNC machining, SolidWorks design, and fiber laser cutting. Furthermore, the city is advancing 15 environmental projects to protect the local ecosystem and improve quality of life. To ensure sustainability and regulatory compliance, discussions are underway to integrate environmental engineers into newly established Organized Industrial Zones. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: Samsun initiates digital, industrial, and environmental development plans Samsun is advancing its regional development through new initiatives for AI-supported data centers, technical workforce training in defense and automotive sectors, and 15 local environmental projects. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samsun-targets-digital-infrastructure-and-tourism-growth ### 2026-08-08: Samsun tourism rises 13.7% as German visitors become top foreign source Samsun saw a 13.68% rise in tourist numbers to 236,352 (Jan‑May 2026); German visitors now lead foreign arrivals, overtaking Georgians, per TGA data. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samsun-tourism-rises-137-as-german-visitors-become-top-foreign-source --- Cite as: Samsun tourism and infrastructure development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/samsun-tourism-and-infrastructure-development