ANKARA, Türkiye / AsiaWire.IO / – Türkiye aims to become the world’s sixth-highest-earning country in tourism revenue, backed by a larger budget allocation for the sector in 2027. The 2027 central government budget draft sets tourism funding at $244.5 million, up from $188.4 million this year, Anadolu Agency reported. The increase of about $56.1 million, or nearly 30%, supports the country’s latest revenue goals. Ankara is targeting $70 billion in tourism revenue next year.
The budget aligns with Türkiye’s Medium-Term Programme, which sets out tourism revenue targets for the next three years. After $70 billion in 2027, the programme aims for $73.5 billion in 2028 and $78.5 billion in 2029. The plan sets a rise of $3.5 billion in 2028 and a further $5 billion in 2029. Reaching the 2029 goal would lift annual earnings about 20% above last year’s level.
Türkiye posted a record performance last year, generating $65.2 billion in tourism revenue. However, the initial 2026 revenue target of $68 billion was revised down to $65 billion. The adjustment reflected the impact of ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East. The 2027 target of $70 billion would exceed last year’s record by about $4.8 billion and the revised 2026 goal by $5 billion.
Ankara eyes higher global tourism rankings
Türkiye is expected to climb from a projected seventh place in global tourism revenue this year to sixth in 2027. The projection is based on global tourism revenue data from the World Tourism Organisation. If the country meets its $70 billion target next year and moves up the rankings, further projections place Türkiye in fifth place by 2028. The ranking goals form a central part of the 2027 budget plan for the sector.
The country has made strong gains in global rankings since 2017. Over that period, Türkiye rose from 15th to seventh place in global tourism revenue. It also climbed from eighth to fourth place in total tourist arrivals. Officials expect the country to hold fourth place in arrivals throughout 2027 to 2029. The arrivals ranking places Türkiye among the world’s most visited countries.
Travel competitiveness index targets set through 2029
Ankara also aims to improve its standing in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index. Türkiye is projected to have finished 36th in the index last year. The government is targeting 35th place in 2027, 34th in 2028 and 33rd by 2029. The index assesses the factors and policies that support the development of travel and tourism sectors in different countries.
The combined targets aim to further cement Türkiye’s status as a top global travel destination. The 2027 budget increase gives the tourism sector more resources as the country pursues higher revenue and stronger rankings. The plan comes after a year in which regional conflicts forced a downward revision of revenue expectations. Final figures for 2026 will show how close the sector comes to its revised $65 billion target.
