ANKARA, Türkiye / AsiaWire.IO / – According to the draft budget proposal for 2027 released by the central government, Türkiye is targeting a position as the sixth-highest-earning tourism nation worldwide. Anadolu Agency reported that this plan allocates $244.5 million to tourism, compared to $188.4 million allocated this year. The increased budget aligns with a revenue goal of $70 billion set for 2027. The funding for the tourism sector would see an almost 30% rise under this plan.
This 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 trajectory suggests growth of $3.5 billion in the first year and $5 billion in the subsequent year. By 2029, annual tourism income is projected to be roughly 20% higher than the record achieved last year.
Tourism earnings reached an all-time high of $65.2 billion last year. Initially, Ankara aimed for $68 billion in 2026 but later lowered that target 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 revised goal for 2027 exceeds the 2026 target by $5 billion and is approximately $4.8 billion above last year’s record.
Rankings expected to climb to sixth place in global tourism revenue
The projections are supported by data from the World Tourism Organisation, which tracks global tourism revenue. Türkiye is forecasted to finish seventh this year and move up to sixth in 2027 as its revenues grow. If the country reaches its $70 billion target and improves its ranking, later estimates suggest it could be in fifth place by 2028. Each upward step would place Türkiye among the top tourism earners worldwide.
Türkiye has made rapid progress in global tourism rankings since 2017, climbing from 15th to seventh place in revenue. In terms of total tourist arrivals, the country advanced from eighth to fourth position. Projections indicate Türkiye will maintain its fourth-place ranking in arrivals from 2027 through 2029, solidifying its status as one of the world’s most visited destinations.
Goals to improve Türkiye’s rank in the WEF Travel and Tourism Index set for 2029
Enhancing Türkiye’s position in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index, or TTDI, is also part of the government’s strategy. The country was ranked 36th last year and aims to improve to 35th in 2027, then 34th in 2028, and reach 33rd by 2029. The index evaluates policies and factors that influence the development of the national travel and tourism sectors.
Collectively, the targets for revenue, visitor numbers, and index rankings are intended to bolster Türkiye’s standing as a leading global travel destination. The increased 2027 budget provides additional resources for the sector to pursue these ambitions. This comes after a year marked by regional conflicts that impacted tourism outlooks. Final figures for 2026 will reveal how close the sector comes to its revised $65 billion goal.