ANKARA, Türkiye / AsiaWire.IO / – According to its 2027 central government budget proposal, Türkiye aims to secure the position of the sixth-highest-earning tourism nation worldwide. Anadolu Agency reported that the draft allocates $244.5 million to the tourism sector, up from $188.4 million this year. This increased funding aligns with a revenue target of $70 billion set for 2027. The plan envisions nearly a 30% boost in sector funding.
This budget increase aligns with Ankara’s Medium-Term Programme, known as the MTP, which establishes tourism revenue goals of $70 billion in 2027, $73.5 billion in 2028, and $78.5 billion in 2029. The plan suggests annual revenue growth of $3.5 billion followed by $5 billion over the subsequent two years. By 2029, tourism income is projected to be roughly 20% higher than the record set last year.
Last year, tourism revenue reached an all-time high of $65.2 billion. Ankara initially targeted $68 billion for 2026 but later revised this goal downward to $65 billion. Officials explained that the revision was influenced by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East. The new 2027 target exceeds the adjusted 2026 figure by $5 billion and is approximately $4.8 billion above last year’s record.
Projected Revenue Growth to Elevate Türkiye to Sixth Place
The World Tourism Organisation’s data on global tourism revenues support these ranking forecasts. Türkiye is expected to rank seventh this year and move up to sixth position in 2027 as revenue increases. If the country meets its $70 billion target and improves its position, projections suggest it could reach fifth place by 2028. Each advancement would position Türkiye among a smaller group of the world’s leading tourism earners.
Türkiye has seen rapid progress in global tourism rankings since 2017, climbing from 15th to seventh in tourism revenue during that period. In terms of total tourist arrivals, the country advanced from eighth to fourth place. Forecasts indicate Türkiye will maintain its fourth-place standing in arrivals from 2027 through 2029, placing it among the world’s most frequented destinations.
Goals for WEF Travel and Tourism Index Reach 33rd by 2029
The government also seeks to enhance Türkiye’s 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 in 2027, then 34th in 2028, and ultimately 33rd in 2029. The index evaluates policies and factors that foster the growth of the national travel and tourism industries.
The combined objectives for revenue, visitor numbers, and index rankings aim to reinforce Türkiye’s position as a leading global travel destination. The increased 2027 budget provides additional resources for sector development, especially after a year marked by regional conflicts affecting tourism outlooks. Final data for 2026 will reveal how closely the sector approaches its revised $65 billion target.