ANKARA, Türkiye / AsiaWire.IO / – According to its 2027 central government budget proposal, Türkiye aspires to rank as the sixth-largest global tourism revenue generator. Anadolu Agency reported that the draft allocates $244.5 million for tourism, an increase from $188.4 million allocated this year. This enhanced budget aligns with a revenue goal of $70 billion for 2027. The plan also forecasts nearly a 30% rise in sector funding.
This allocation aligns with Ankara’s Medium-Term Programme, or MTP, which sets tourism revenue targets at $70 billion for 2027, $73.5 billion for 2028, and $78.5 billion for 2029. The trajectory suggests incremental increases of $3.5 billion and $5 billion in the subsequent two years. By 2029, annual earnings from tourism are projected to be approximately 20% higher than the record set last year.
Tourism revenue peaked at $65.2 billion last year. While Ankara initially aimed for $68 billion in 2026, this target was later revised down to $65 billion. Officials explained that the revision was due to ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, as well as tensions in the Middle East. The new 2027 goal surpasses the adjusted 2026 figure by $5 billion and exceeds last year’s record by about $4.8 billion.
Ranking in tourism revenue expected to advance to sixth position
The projections for Türkiye’s position in the global tourism revenue rankings are supported by data from the World Tourism Organisation. It is anticipated that the country will rank seventh this year and climb to sixth place in 2027 as revenue grows. If the $70 billion target is achieved and the country moves up the rankings, future estimates suggest it could reach fifth place by 2028. Each step would place Türkiye among a smaller group of the world’s top tourism earners.
Türkiye has made rapid progress in global tourism rankings since 2017, moving from 15th to seventh in tourism revenue. In total tourist arrivals, the country advanced from eighth to fourth place. Forecasts indicate that Türkiye will maintain its fourth position in arrivals from 2027 through 2029. These rankings affirm its status as one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide.
Goals for WEF Travel and Tourism Development 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. The plan is to move up to 35th in 2027, then 34th in 2028, and ultimately 33rd in 2029. The index measures factors and policies that support the growth of the national travel and tourism sectors.
The combined targets for revenue, visitor numbers, and index ranking aim to elevate Türkiye’s status as a leading global travel destination. The increased 2027 budget provides additional resources to pursue these objectives. This follows a year marked by regional conflicts that impacted tourism forecasts. Final data for 2026 will reveal how close the sector comes to reaching its revised $65 billion target.