ANKARA, Türkiye / AsiaWire.IO / – The goal for Turkey is to rank as the sixth-highest country worldwide in tourism earnings, supported by an increased budget allocation for the sector in 2027. The 2027 draft of the central government budget allocates $244.5 million for tourism, rising from $188.4 million this year, Anadolu Agency reported. This rise of roughly $56.1 million, or nearly 30%, aligns with the country’s latest revenue ambitions. Ankara is aiming for $70 billion in tourism income next year.
This 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 for 2028 and $78.5 billion for 2029. The programme envisions increases of $3.5 billion in 2028 and an additional $5 billion in 2029. Achieving the 2029 target would elevate annual earnings by approximately 20% compared to last year’s figure.
Last year, Türkiye achieved a record-high in tourism revenue, reaching $65.2 billion. Nonetheless, the initial 2026 revenue forecast of $68 billion was revised downward 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 last year’s record by about $4.8 billion and the revised 2026 goal by $5 billion.
Ankara targets higher global tourism rankings
It is anticipated that Turkey will move up from a projected seventh place in global tourism revenue this year to sixth in 2027. This forecast is based on data from the World Tourism Organisation. Should the country meet its $70 billion target next year and advance in the rankings, further projections suggest Turkey could reach fifth place by 2028. These ranking ambitions are a key element of the 2027 sector budget plan.
Since 2017, Turkey has made notable progress in international rankings. During this period, Türkiye advanced from 15th to seventh place in global tourism revenue. It also moved from eighth to fourth place in overall tourist arrivals. Officials expect the country to maintain fourth place in arrivals from 2027 through 2029. This position places Türkiye among the most visited nations worldwide.
Travel competitiveness index goals through 2029
Turkey also seeks to improve its ranking in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index. Last year, the country was projected to finish 36th. The government’s targets include reaching 35th place in 2027, 34th in 2028, and 33rd by 2029. The index evaluates various factors and policies that influence the development of travel and tourism sectors across different nations.
These combined objectives aim to reinforce Turkey’s position as a top global travel destination. The 2027 budget boost provides the tourism industry with increased resources as the country strives for higher revenues and improved rankings. This strategy follows a year marked by regional conflicts that led to downward revisions of revenue expectations. Final 2026 figures will reveal how closely the sector approaches its revised $65 billion target.