ANKARA, Türkiye / AsiaWire.IO / – The government of Türkiye is working towards becoming the sixth-largest global contributor to tourism income, with increased sector funding planned for 2027. According to a Anadolu Agency report, the 2027 central government budget proposal allocates $244.5 million for tourism, rising from $188.4 million allocated this year. This roughly $56.1 million increase, nearly 30%, supports the country’s updated revenue objectives. Ankara aims for $70 billion in tourism earnings next year.
The budget aligns with Türkiye’s Medium-Term Programme, which outlines tourism revenue targets for the upcoming three years. Following a $70 billion goal in 2027, the plan projects $73.5 billion in 2028 and $78.5 billion in 2029, with increases of $3.5 billion and $5 billion respectively. Achieving the 2029 target would boost annual tourism income by about 20% compared to the previous year.
Last year marked a record for Türkiye, with tourism revenue reaching $65.2 billion. Nonetheless, the initial 2026 goal of $68 billion was revised down to $65 billion, reflecting the effects of ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East. The 2027 target of $70 billion would surpass the previous year’s record by approximately $4.8 billion and exceed the adjusted 2026 goal by $5 billion.
Ankara targets higher global standing in tourism rankings
Projections indicate that Türkiye is set to advance from a seventh-place position in global tourism revenue this year to sixth place in 2027. This forecast, based on data from the World Tourism Organization, assumes the country reaches its $70 billion revenue goal and improves its ranking. Further projections suggest Türkiye could rank fifth by 2028. These ranking ambitions are a key component of the 2027 budget plan for the tourism sector.
Since 2017, Türkiye has made notable progress in international tourism standings. Over that period, Türkiye moved from 15th to seventh place in global tourism revenue. Its position in tourist arrivals improved from eighth to fourth, and officials project that the country will maintain its fourth-place ranking in arrivals through 2027 to 2029. This status places Türkiye among the world’s most visited nations.
Goals set for Travel and Tourism Development Index through 2029
Ankara is also striving to enhance its position in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index. Last year, Türkiye was ranked 36th. The government has set targets to reach 35th place in 2027, 34th in 2028, and 33rd in 2029. This index evaluates the policies and factors that influence the growth of travel and tourism industries across nations.
The combined objectives aim to reinforce Türkiye’s reputation as a top global travel destination. The increased 2027 budget provides additional resources to the tourism sector as the country pursues higher revenues and improved rankings. This strategy follows a year marked by regional conflicts that led to downward revisions of revenue expectations. Final figures for 2026 will reveal how closely the sector approaches its revised $65 billion target.