ANKARA, Türkiye / AsiaWire.IO / – The central government of Türkiye plans to increase its tourism funding to support a goal of reaching $70 billion in revenue in 2027, positioning the country as the sixth-largest global tourism earner. The 2027 budget proposal allocates $244.5 million for tourism, a rise from this year’s $188.4 million, Anadolu Agency reported. This nearly $56.1 million boost, representing almost 30%, aligns with the country’s latest revenue ambitions. Ankara is aiming for $70 billion in tourism earnings next year.
This budget projection is consistent with Türkiye’s Medium-Term Programme, which outlines tourism revenue targets for the upcoming three years. After hitting $70 billion in 2027, the plan anticipates increasing to $73.5 billion in 2028 and $78.5 billion in 2029. The forecasted growth includes a $3.5 billion rise in 2028 and an additional $5 billion in 2029. Achieving the 2029 target would elevate annual income by approximately 20% compared to the previous year.
Last year, Türkiye set a record with $65.2 billion generated from tourism. Nonetheless, the initial 2026 revenue target of $68 billion was revised downward to $65 billion, reflecting the effects of ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East. The proposed 2027 goal of $70 billion would surpass last year’s record by about $4.8 billion and outpace the revised 2026 target by $5 billion.
Ankara aims for higher global tourism rankings
Projections suggest Türkiye will move from a seventh-place position in global tourism revenue this year to sixth in 2027. These estimates are based on data from the World Tourism Organisation. If the country attains its $70 billion target next year and advances in rankings, further forecasts indicate Türkiye could reach fifth place by 2028. These ranking ambitions are a key element of the 2027 sector budget plan.
Since 2017, Türkiye has made notable progress in international rankings. During that period, Türkiye advanced from 15th to seventh place in global tourism revenue. It also improved from eighth to fourth place in total tourist arrivals. Officials project the country will maintain its fourth-place position in arrivals from 2027 to 2029, solidifying its status as one of the world’s most visited nations.
Travel and Tourism Development Index targets extend through 2029
Türkiye also seeks to enhance its ranking within the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index. The country was last ranked 36th. The government aims for a 35th place finish in 2027, 34th in 2028, and 33rd by 2029. This index evaluates the policies and factors that influence the growth of travel and tourism sectors across nations.
These combined objectives aim to reinforce Türkiye’s position as a top global travel destination. The increased 2027 budget supplies additional resources for tourism as the country pursues higher revenue and improved rankings. This strategy follows a year marked by regional conflicts that led to downward revisions of revenue expectations. Final 2026 figures will reveal how closely the sector approaches its revised $65 billion goal.