ANKARA, Türkiye / AsiaWire.IO / – Türkiye aims to reach the position of the sixth-highest-earning country globally in tourism revenue, supported by a larger budget allocation for the sector in 2027. The draft of the 2027 central government budget allocates $244.5 million for tourism, representing an increase from $188.4 million this year, Anadolu Agency reported. The roughly $56.1 million rise, nearly 30%, aligns with the country’s latest revenue ambitions. Ankara is targeting $70 billion in tourism earnings next year.
This budget aligns with Türkiye’s Medium-Term Programme, which outlines tourism revenue goals for the upcoming three years. After achieving $70 billion in 2027, the plan projects $73.5 billion in 2028 and $78.5 billion in 2029, with increases of $3.5 billion in 2028 and an additional $5 billion in 2029. Attaining the 2029 target would raise annual earnings by approximately 20% compared to last year’s level.
Last year, Türkiye set a record by generating $65.2 billion in tourism income; however, the initial 2026 revenue target of $68 billion was revised downward to $65 billion, reflecting the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine as well as in the Middle East. The 2027 goal of $70 billion would surpass last year’s record by about $4.8 billion and exceed the revised 2026 target by $5 billion.
Ankara aims to improve global tourism rankings
Projections indicate Türkiye will move from a projected 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 be in fifth place by 2028. These ranking objectives are a key component of the 2027 sector budget plan.
Since 2017, Türkiye has made notable progress in international rankings, climbing from 15th to seventh place in global tourism revenue, according to Türkiye. It also advanced from eighth to fourth place in total tourist arrivals. Officials anticipate the country will maintain its fourth-place position in arrivals through 2027 to 2029, placing Türkiye among the world’s most visited destinations.
Goals set for travel competitiveness index through 2029
Türkiye also seeks to enhance its position in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index, which last year ranked the country 36th. The government aims for a 35th place finish in 2027, 34th in 2028, and 33rd by 2029. This index evaluates the various factors and policies that influence travel and tourism development across nations.
These combined targets are designed to strengthen Türkiye’s reputation as a top global travel destination. The 2027 increase in budget provides the tourism industry with additional resources as the country strives for higher revenue and improved international standing. This strategy follows a year marked by regional conflicts that led to downward revisions of revenue expectations, with final 2026 figures yet to confirm how closely the sector will approach its revised goal of $65 billion.