ANKARA, Türkiye / AsiaWire.IO / – According to its 2027 central government budget draft, Türkiye aims to secure the sixth position worldwide in tourism revenue. Anadolu Agency reported that the draft allocates $244.5 million to the tourism sector, up from $188.4 million this year. This increased budget aligns with a revenue goal of $70 billion set for 2027. The funding for tourism would see an almost 30% rise under this plan.
The proposed budget aligns with Ankara’s Medium-Term Programme, known as the MTP, which establishes tourism revenue targets of $70 billion in 2027, $73.5 billion in 2028, and $78.5 billion in 2029. The plan indicates growth of $3.5 billion and then $5 billion in the subsequent two years. By 2029, annual tourism earnings could surpass last year’s record by approximately 20%.
Tourism revenue reached an all-time high of $65.2 billion last year. Initially, Ankara aimed for $68 billion in 2026 but later reduced this target to $65 billion. Officials explained that the revision was due to ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, along with instability in the Middle East. The new 2027 target exceeds the revised 2026 goal by $5 billion and is roughly $4.8 billion higher than last year’s record.
Projection indicates a rise to sixth place in global revenue
The World Tourism Organisation’s data on global tourism revenue supports the forecasted ranking improvements. Türkiye is expected to rank seventh this year and move up to sixth in 2027 as revenue increases. Achieving the $70 billion target and advancing in the rankings could see the country reach fifth place by 2028. Each step would place Türkiye among the few nations leading in international tourism earnings.
Türkiye has made significant progress in global tourism standings since 2017. It advanced from 15th to seventh in tourism revenue during that period. In total tourist arrivals, the country rose from eighth to fourth position. Projections suggest Türkiye will maintain its fourth-place ranking in arrivals from 2027 through 2029. These rankings position the nation among the world’s most visited destinations.
Goals for WEF Travel and Tourism Index aim for 33rd place by 2029
The government also seeks to improve Türkiye’s standing in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index, or TTDI. Last year, the country was projected to rank 36th in the index. Ankara plans to move up to 35th in 2027, then 34th in 2028, and reach 33rd in 2029. The index evaluates factors and policies that support the growth of national travel and tourism sectors.
The combined targets for revenue, visitor numbers, and index rankings are designed to enhance Türkiye’s position as a leading global travel destination. The increased 2027 budget provides additional resources to pursue these ambitions. This comes after a year marked by regional conflicts that affected tourism outlooks. Final figures for 2026 will reveal how closely the sector approaches its revised $65 billion goal.