Newsletters
Türkiye climbed to 36th in the World Economic Forum's 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, up 11 spots from 47th in 2019. Its score rose 6.1% to 4.3734 from 4.1206, including a 2.5% gain between 2024 and 2026.
The index, which gauges the conditions that enable sustainable and resilient tourism development, highlighted Türkiye's continued progress in tourism, while its sustainability program featured as an example of national practice in the WEF report, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said.
In a written statement, Ersoy emphasized that Türkiye's score for the socioeconomic impact of tourism increased 8.3% from 2024, while the sustainability of tourism demand indicator improved 5.1%.
He stressed that the 8.3% increase in the socioeconomic impact category represented the second-highest improvement recorded globally. The ministry also pointed to efforts to reduce the concentration of tourism activity in specific destinations and ensure that more of the sector's benefits reach local communities.
“Tourism growth is managed with an approach that provides more income for our people while protecting our nature and cultural heritage,” Ersoy said.
The WEF report also highlighted Türkiye's efforts to spread tourism activity beyond heavily concentrated destinations and strengthen the benefits for local communities, Ersoy added.
“Together with all stakeholders in the sector, we will continue to strengthen Türkiye's competitiveness in tourism and make our success lasting,” the minister added.
The advancement comes after Türkiye launched its National Sustainable Tourism Program in 2022 in cooperation with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The program focuses on reducing environmental impacts, protecting cultural heritage and ensuring that the social and economic benefits of tourism reach local communities more effectively.
More than 2,650 accommodation facilities in Türkiye have received GSTC certification under the program, according to the ministry. The certification system is expected to become mandatory for accommodation facilities across Türkiye by 2030.
The program also places local communities at the center of its approach, with greater access to tourism benefits and improved quality of life in destinations identified as key to the sector's long-term success.
Türkiye ranked fourth among the world's most visited countries in 2025, welcoming 64 million international visitors, according to UN Tourism data.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
