03.12.2025 14:25
The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, stated that Turkey is experiencing a historical transformation in tourism and is now a country that is cited as an example. He noted that with the establishment of the Tourism Development Agency, promotional activities are being carried out from a single center, and the target is high-income groups. He also announced that a new incentive model will be introduced for the film and series sector, and that incentives will be provided for projects that contribute to tourism, cultural promotion, and economic impact.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy explained the new vision for tourism, the incentive model for the series-film sector, the archaeology initiative, and the global goals of the Culture Road Festivals at the "Anatolian Conversations" meeting. "Turkey is now a country that is cited as an example," he said.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy met with journalists at the "Anatolian Conversations" program organized by the Turkish Press Federation (TÜBAF) and made important statements about tourism, culture, the series sector, and archaeology.
Ersoy stated at the meeting that Turkey has experienced a historic transformation in tourism over the last six years, saying, "Turkey has leveled up in tourism. We are no longer a competitor; we are a country that is cited as an example."
"We Achieved a Transformation in 6 Years That Was Not Accomplished in 50 Years in Tourism"
Minister Ersoy noted that there was a scattered structure in tourism when they took office, and that promotional budgets were carried out without coordination among institutions. He recalled that the Tourism Development Agency (TGA) was established to eliminate this disarray.
"We established the TGA on December 30, 2018. Today, we are promoting to 200 countries. In the past, everyone played a different tune; now we are moving forward from a single center with a single strategy."
Ersoy emphasized that the new structure has transformed Turkey into one of the world's strongest tourism promotion networks, stating that the goal is not "many tourists" but high-income groups.
"Per Capita Nightly Income Will Be $130"
Ersoy stated that they have changed the perception of Turkey as a cheap destination and expressed that they are focusing on a qualified segment in tourism:
"Our target for per capita nightly income is $130. This goal can be achieved not by the number of tourists but by reaching the right audience."
He also mentioned that Istanbul's aviation capacity, which provides direct flights to over 330 destinations, has made Turkey one of the centers of global tourism.
"The Pope's Visit Provided Positive Contributions to Turkey"
Regarding the Pope's visit to Turkey, Ersoy said that the process went positively:
"The messages given by the Pope aligned with Turkey's approach to peace diplomacy. I do not find it appropriate to draw the visit into other dimensions."
New Incentive Model for the Series-Film Sector: "We Want Measurable Contributions Now"
Ersoy stated that Turkey has become a strong player in the global series market and announced that a new incentive model will be implemented:
"Four of the top 10 most-watched productions on Netflix are from Turkey. However, incentives will now operate based on measurable contributions. Projects that do not contribute to tourism, cultural promotion, and economic impact will not receive support."
This model aims to enhance both the quality of content and the tourism potential of the destinations where filming takes place.
Culture Road Festivals: All of Turkey by 2028
Ersoy emphasized that the Culture Road Festivals have become Turkey's international cultural brand and shared the following information:
"Today, the festival network is implemented in 16 provinces. In 2025, 70 provinces will be included, and by 2028, all 81 provinces will be covered. We are creating the world's largest cultural festival network. More than 50,000 artists have performed."
Investments in Archaeology and Museology
One of the most comprehensive topics of the meeting was archaeology. Ersoy stated that Turkey is experiencing a golden age of excavation and restoration work:
"More than 750 archaeologists and experts are working in the field. Excavations have been extended to 12 months. A digital reporting system has been established. World-scale projects are being carried out in areas such as Stone Hills, Göbeklitepe, Perge, Ephesus, and Laodicea. Turkey will shape the archaeology literature in the next 10 years."
The Tourism Profession Law is on the Way
Ersoy stated that they are nearing the end of the profession law for tourism workers: "This law will make the quality standard of tourism permanent. We will share it very soon."
In his general assessment, Ersoy stated that Turkey has entered a new phase in tourism, culture, and promotion, concluding his remarks as follows:
"Turkey is no longer just a target country; it is a country that is cited as an example and exports its own model. We are working to make this transformation permanent."