Türkiye has cemented its position as a global tourism powerhouse, welcoming a record 64 million visitors in 2025 and generating $65.2 billion in revenue. The figures, announced by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, mark the most successful period in the history of the Republic.
Building on this momentum, the Ministry has set an ambitious target of $68 billion for 2026.
The results underscore a meteoric rise in the global tourism rankings. According to data from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Türkiye has climbed from 8th place in 2017 to become the 4th most visited country in the world as of 2024.
The revenue surge is equally significant, with the nation jumping from 15th to 7th place globally in the same period. Minister Ersoy attributed this success to the country’s "strong reflex" and significant experience in crisis management, allowing the sector to thrive despite regional geopolitical challenges.
A key pillar of Türkiye’s strategy is moving beyond traditional coastal tourism toward a year-round, diversified model. The Minister highlighted initiatives like the Heritage for the Future, expansion of illuminated evening visits to 27 historical sites - including Ephesus and Cappadocia, and niche tourism, where significant investments are being made in health and thermal tourism, gastronomy, archaeology, winter sports, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).