ANKARA, Türkiye / AsiaWire.IO / – According to the draft of Turkey’s central government budget for 2027, the country aims to rank as the sixth-highest-earning tourism destination worldwide. Anadolu Agency reported that the proposed budget allocates $244.5 million to tourism, compared to $188.4 million allocated this year. This increased funding aligns with a revenue goal of $70 billion set for 2027. The sector’s budget would grow by nearly 30% under this plan.
This allocation aligns with Ankara’s Medium-Term Programme, or MTP. The plan aims for tourism revenues of $70 billion in 2027, $73.5 billion in 2028, and $78.5 billion in 2029. This trajectory suggests growth of $3.5 billion and then $5 billion over the next two years. By 2029, annual tourism earnings are projected to surpass last year’s record by roughly 20%.
Tourism revenue reached an all-time high of $65.2 billion last year. Initially, Ankara targeted $68 billion for 2026 but later revised that goal downward 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 new 2027 target exceeds the revised 2026 figure by $5 billion and is approximately $4.8 billion higher than last year’s record.
Expected Revenue Growth Could Elevate Türkiye to Sixth in Global Rankings
Projections for Türkiye’s ranking are supported by data from the World Tourism Organisation. The country is predicted to rank seventh this year and move up to sixth in 2027 as tourism revenues increase. If the country meets its $70 billion target and improves its position, later forecasts suggest it could reach fifth place by 2028. Each milestone would place Türkiye among the world’s leading tourism earners.
Türkiye has made rapid progress in global tourism rankings since 2017. It advanced from 15th to seventh place in tourism revenue during that period. In terms of total tourist arrivals, the country climbed from eighth to fourth place. Forecasts indicate Türkiye will maintain its fourth-place position in arrivals from 2027 through 2029. These rankings confirm the country’s status as one of the world’s most visited destinations.
Goals for the WEF Travel and Tourism Index Set to Reach 33rd by 2029
The Turkish government also aims to improve its standing in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index, or TTDI. Last year, the country was projected to be ranked 36th. Ankara plans to climb to 35th place in 2027, then 34th in 2028, and ultimately 33rd in 2029. The index evaluates factors and policies that support the growth of national travel and tourism industries.
The combined targets for revenue, arrivals, and index improvement are designed to reinforce Türkiye’s position as a leading global travel destination. The expanded 2027 budget provides additional resources for the sector to achieve these ambitions. It follows a year marked by regional conflicts that impacted tourism forecasts. Final data for 2026 will reveal how closely the sector approaches its revised $65 billion goal.