ANKARA, Türkiye / AsiaWire.IO / – Türkiye is striving to rank as the sixth-largest global contributor to tourism income, supported by an increased budget allocation for 2027. According to Anadolu Agency, the 2027 central government budget proposal allocates $244.5 million to tourism, an increase from this year’s $188.4 million. The rise of approximately $56.1 million, nearly 30%, underpins the country’s latest revenue ambitions. Ankara is aiming for $70 billion in tourism earnings next year.
This budget aligns with Türkiye’s Medium-Term Programme, which outlines tourism revenue targets for the coming three years. After reaching $70 billion in 2027, the plan projects $73.5 billion in 2028 and $78.5 billion in 2029. These targets reflect increases of $3.5 billion in 2028 and an additional $5 billion in 2029. Achieving the 2029 goal would raise annual revenue roughly 20% above last year’s figures.
In 2022, Türkiye set a record with $65.2 billion in tourism income. Nonetheless, the initial target of $68 billion for 2026 was revised downward to $65 billion, primarily due to ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and issues in the Middle East. The 2027 goal of $70 billion would surpass last year’s record by about $4.8 billion and the adjusted 2026 target by $5 billion.
Ankara aims to improve its position in global tourism rankings
Türkiye is projected to move from seventh place in global tourism revenue this year to sixth in 2027, based on data from the World Tourism Organisation. If the country reaches its $70 billion target next year and advances in the rankings, further forecasts suggest Türkiye could climb to fifth place by 2028. These ranking objectives are central to the sector-focused 2027 budget plan.
Since 2017, Türkiye has made notable progress in global rankings. Over that period, Türkiye moved from 15th to seventh place in tourism revenue and from eighth to fourth in total tourist arrivals. Officials anticipate maintaining the fourth position in arrivals through 2027 to 2029. This ranking places Türkiye among the world’s most visited nations.
Travel and Tourism Development Index goals targeted through 2029
Ankara also seeks to enhance its standing in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index. Last year, Türkiye was projected to rank 36th. The government’s targets are 35th in 2027, 34th in 2028, and 33rd by 2029. The index evaluates the factors and policies that foster the growth of travel and tourism industries worldwide.
These combined targets are designed to reinforce Türkiye’s reputation as a top global travel destination. The 2027 budget increase provides the tourism sector with additional resources as the country pursues higher earnings and improved global rankings. This initiative 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 goal.