06.11.2026 14:34
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy presented his Ministry's 2027 budget to the TBMM Plan and Budget Committee. Ersoy, who announced that more than 32,000 archaeological finds were unearthed during excavations in the 2024-2026 period within the scope of the Heritage to the Future project, described the work carried out from archaeological excavations to museum investments and from the protection of cultural heritage to art support, as well as the goals for the new period.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, in his presentation at the Turkish Grand National Assembly Plan and Budget Committee, stated that Turkey has gone beyond being one of the most visited countries in the world and said that it is among the countries setting standards on a global scale in the fields of product diversity, destination management, promotion capacity, and sustainability in tourism.
Emphasizing that they are determined to continuously carry the gains achieved in tourism further, Ersoy said, “Our goal is to transform our strength in the number of visitors into a continuously increasing gain with higher tourism revenue, a longer length of stay, and a more balanced tourism structure spread across 81 provinces and 12 months.”
TOURISM REVENUE REACHES 51 BILLION 278 MILLION DOLLARS IN NINE MONTHS
Pointing out that the first nine months of 2026 were difficult for global tourism, Ersoy stated that despite regional conflicts, airspace closures, and rising transportation costs, Turkish tourism maintained its strong and resilient structure. Announcing that 49 million 132 thousand visitors were hosted in the January-September period, Ersoy reported that tourism revenue increased by 2.4 percent compared with the same period last year, reaching 51 billion 278 million dollars.
Noting that the average length of stay in the same period was 10.34 nights, Ersoy said that the average expenditure per person per night increased by 4.6 percent to 107.7 dollars, while the average nightly expenditure of foreign visitors reached 119.9 dollars.
Recalling that Turkey rose from eighth place in the number of international tourists in 2017 to fourth place in 2025, Ersoy stated that in the same period it also climbed from 14th to seventh place in the tourism revenue ranking. Ersoy emphasized that the joint efforts of the public and private sectors, the strong transportation infrastructure, and the uninterrupted promotional work of the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency were effective in this success.
2027 TOURISM STRATEGY TO BE IMPLEMENTED ACROSS FIVE AXES
Ersoy announced that they will implement the 2027 tourism policy across five strategic axes in order to increase the sector's resilience against global uncertainties. He stated that, in addition to preserving demand in existing markets and developing high value-added tourism products, sales-focused activities will be increased in markets with high growth potential, especially the United States, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Expressing that existing flight capacity will be preserved through cooperation with airlines and tour operators, and additional seat capacity will be provided with new direct flights, Ersoy said that Turkey's global visibility will be strengthened through international sports and cultural events. He noted that data and artificial intelligence will also be used more effectively in demand forecasting, targeting, and promotional campaigns.
Stating that Formula 1 is one of the concrete examples of this strategy, Ersoy said, “We are proud to bring the excitement of Formula 1, one of the world's most prestigious sports organizations, back to our country at Istanbul Park in 2027.”
BILLIONS OF IMPRESSIONS IN DIGITAL PROMOTION
Sharing data on Turkey's international promotion efforts, Ersoy announced that 7.1 billion impressions were reached in 74 countries through digital campaigns in 2026. Stating that the mini-series model, which carries the global influence of Turkish TV series into tourism, has been expanded, Ersoy reported that 10 mini-series in the 2025-2026 period achieved a total of 10.5 billion impressions.
Noting that the GoTürkiye platform, which promotes Turkey in 10 languages, reached 77.2 million unique visitors as of October, and that its social media accounts reached 23 million 338 thousand followers as of September, Ersoy said that they rank first among country accounts on YouTube and TikTok and second on Instagram.
2030 TARGET IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Emphasizing that they address growth in tourism together with environmental responsibility, Ersoy stated that within the scope of the sustainable tourism program, more than 20 thousand facilities had received documents and certificates as of October, while more than 2,650 facilities met all third-stage criteria. Announcing that they aim for all accommodation facilities to meet the third-stage criteria by 2030, Ersoy reported that Turkey rose 11 places since 2019 to reach 36th place in the World Economic Forum's 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index. Recalling that Turkey ranks third in the world in the number of Blue Flag beaches with 580 beaches, Ersoy also stated that free-entry public beaches serve at 20 separate locations.
MORE THAN 32 THOUSAND FINDS BROUGHT TO LIGHT WITH LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE
Describing the “Legacy for the Future” project as the largest archaeological mobilization in the history of the Republic, Ersoy announced that work was carried out at 261 excavation sites in 67 provinces in 2026. Stating that 29 excavations conducted by foreign teams were also included in a 12-month work program and that a Turkish coordinator excavation director was appointed to each, Ersoy said that by the end of the year the total number of excavations and research activities would reach 800, and that the target is to increase this to 820 in 2027. Reporting that more than 32 thousand archaeological finds were brought to light in the excavations during the 2024-2026 period, Ersoy noted that employment was provided for more than 3,500 experts and more than 6,500 workers. He stated that, in order to evaluate the scientific data obtained, contributions were made to the preparation and publication of 944 scientific publications in two years.
TARGET 2027 FOR ANTALYA MUSEUM AND HAYDARPAŞA
Explaining investments in the field of museology, Ersoy said that the Antalya Museum is planned to open to visitors in 2027. Stating that the museum's indoor area has been doubled and its exhibition areas increased to approximately three times, Ersoy expressed that in this way most of the artifacts waiting in storage could be exhibited. Emphasizing that they are handling the Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci railway station areas as a major culture and arts project, Ersoy stated that the original identities of the historical structures will be preserved and the transportation function of both stations will continue.
Announcing that Haydarpaşa will include the Anatolian Side's first archaeology museum, an archaeopark, a performing arts center, a library, a thematic museum, exhibition halls, and art-design workshops, Ersoy said that the first phase is targeted for completion within 2027. He noted that in Sirkeci, in addition to a Migration Museum, a thematic museum, and exhibition areas, culture and arts venues will be created.
WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE TO MEET IN ISTANBUL
Ersoy, noting that Türkiye has 22 assets on the UNESCO World Heritage List, announced that the nomination file for churches and monasteries in Midyat and its surroundings will be evaluated in 2027. Ersoy, reporting that with the addition of the “METU Campus: Living Modern Cultural Landscape” element, the number of assets on the World Heritage Tentative List has reached 80, announced that the 49th session of the World Heritage Committee will be held in Istanbul on June 27-July 7, 2027, under Türkiye’s chairmanship.
28.5 MILLION VISITORS TO MUSEUMS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
Ersoy, announcing that museums and archaeological sites affiliated with the Ministry had hosted 28.5 million visitors as of the end of October, stated that the number of those benefiting from the night museum practice exceeded 1.3 million. He said that a roughly 35 percent increase was achieved in night museum visits compared with the same period last year. Emphasizing that diplomatic and legal efforts continue for the return of cultural assets smuggled abroad, Ersoy reported that 126 cultural assets were brought to Türkiye in 2026, and that the total number of artifacts whose return was secured in the 2002-2026 period reached 13,574.
Ersoy also noted that a software-based technological infrastructure has been put into operation to identify and archive suspicious artifacts offered for sale on auction and gallery websites worldwide.
RESTORATION OF FOUNDATION WORKS, CONTINUITY IN SOCIAL SUPPORT
Describing efforts to protect foundation heritage, Ersoy stated that the repair and restoration of 147 works were completed in the first eight months of 2026, and that the goal is to increase this number to 203 by the end of the year. Expressing that the most comprehensive restoration work in the history of Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is being meticulously continued, Ersoy said that within the scope of foundation services, support is provided for the education of 50,000 students every year, and food parcels are delivered to 75,870 households every month.
CULTURE ROAD FESTIVAL TO EXPAND TO 32 PROVINCES
Stating that the Türkiye Culture Road Festival has grown with the vision of “Tourism Integrated with Culture and Art,” Ersoy announced that 26 cities are included in the 2026 calendar, and that more than 5,600 events have been held in 382 venues in 25 cities so far. Ersoy reported that in 2027, with the addition of Balıkesir, Denizli, Hatay, Kocaeli, Muğla, and Tekirdağ, the festival is planned to be held in 32 provinces. Also touching on efforts to protect living heritage, Ersoy said that Türkiye, with 32 cultural values registered on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, is the second country with the most elements inscribed.
257 NEW LIBRARIES IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS
Stating that, with the understanding of a “Living Library,” services are provided at more than 1,300 libraries across the country, Ersoy announced that 257 new libraries were opened in the last eight years and 373 libraries were restructured. Ersoy, reporting that in the first six months of 2026 the book collection reached 27.6 million, the number of members reached 7.5 million, and the number of users reached 19.9 million, said that after airport, railway station, and baby libraries, the first examples of hospital libraries were also put into service in Osmaniye and Kayseri. Also describing the work of the Turkish Manuscripts Institution, Ersoy stated that digital copies of 487,000 works in the collections have been made available to researchers.
WORK COMPLETED AT 850 CEMEVIS
Providing information about the activities of the Presidency of Alevi-Bektashi Culture and Cemevi, Ersoy announced that maintenance, repair, and furnishing work was completed at 850 cemevis during the 2023-2026 period, and that procedures continue at 542 cemevis. Stating that the Ministry covers the lighting expenses of 1,156 cemevis, Ersoy said that 27,000 books were provided for the establishment of library units in cemevis, and that the transfer of cultural heritage to future generations is supported through bağlama and semah courses.
SUPPORT FOR THEATER, OPERA, AND CINEMA
Emphasizing that they are working to bring art to wider audiences across the country, Ersoy stated that the State Theaters were deemed worthy of 121 different awards in the 2025-2026 season. He announced that support of 116 million 396 thousand TL will be provided to 391 private theater projects in the 2026-2027 art season. Ersoy, reporting that the State Opera and Ballet reached 653 thousand spectators with a total of 1,241 performances in the 2025-2026 season, recounted that in talent screenings held as part of the Anatolian Opera and Ballet Festival, two young people discovered from Şırnak and Tunceli won admission to the vocal departments of conservatories. Noting that a total of 674 million 100 thousand TL in support was provided to the cinema sector in 2026, Ersoy said that children are brought together with cinema through the projects “Traveling Cinema for Children” and “Cinema on the Roads.”
TURKISH CULTURE PROMOTED IN 72 COUNTRIES
Stating that the Yunus Emre Institute continues its activities through 96 Turkish Cultural Centers in 72 countries, Ersoy stated that Türkiye's international visibility is being strengthened through Turkish language teaching and culture and arts programs. Explaining that TİKA carried out 1,624 projects and activities in 2026 as of November in areas such as education, health, cultural cooperation, infrastructure, and humanitarian aid, Ersoy reported that efforts to protect shared cultural heritage abroad are also continuing. Ersoy concluded his speech by emphasizing the determination to expand access to culture and arts in 81 provinces, transmit the heritage of civilization to future generations, and turn tourism successes into lasting prosperity.
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