The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, made statements about the future of Turkish tourism, aiming for 65 million visitors and $64 billion in revenue by the end of 2025. Ersoy emphasised their determination to achieve this target.
At the press conference held at the Türkiye National Stand during ITB Berlin, Ersoy highlighted that Türkiye, closing 2024 with 62.3 million visitors and $61.1 billion in revenue, has accelerated its steps to reach its 2025 goals. He pointed out a significant increase in per capita nightly revenue, rising from $83 in 2017 to $108 — a 31% increase.
Tourism Markets: Russia, Germany, and the UK
Minister Ersoy noted that 6.7 million visitors came from Russia, 6.6 million from Germany, and 4.4 million from the UK in 2024. He stated that early bookings from Germany remain strong, and Türkiye continues to be the second-largest destination for German tourists after Spain.
Regarding the Russian market, Ersoy mentioned that early bookings surpassed last year’s figures and highlighted that the Russian Ruble’s recent 20% appreciation has boosted interest in Türkiye. He expressed expectations of over 7 million visitors from both markets by the end of 2025. As for the UK, he forecasted an increase from 4.4 million visitors in 2024 to 4.8 million in 2025.
Türkiye’s Tourism Diversification Efforts
To spread tourism across all seasons and regions, Ersoy explained that gastronomy, cultural heritage, and alternative tourism products are being promoted across all 81 provinces. He noted the significant interest in projects like archaeological excavations and night-time museum experiences.
The Significance of Archaeological Excavations and Cultural Heritage
Ersoy announced that Türkiye has become the country with the most archaeological excavations worldwide, aiming to increase excavation sites to 800 by 2026. He stated, “We aim to complete as many excavation projects in the next four years as were done in the last 60 years,” underlining that cultural tourism is one of Türkiye’s strongest assets.
Growth in Chinese and US Markets
Ersoy reported a 60% growth in the Chinese market last year and expects this to continue with increased flights. He also noted a 20% growth in the US market as of January, indicating promising developments in that region.
100 Million Visitors and 100 Billion Dollar Revenue Target
Reminding that 70% of visitors arrive in Türkiye by air, Ersoy stressed the need to expand air travel capacity to achieve the future goal of 100 million visitors and $100 billion in revenue. He mentioned ongoing collaborative projects with Turkish Airlines, emphasising the aviation sector’s critical role in reaching tourism targets.
The Contributions of TGA to Türkiye’s Tourism
Minister Ersoy highlighted that the efforts of the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) have positioned Türkiye as a country that continues to increase tourist numbers despite crises, solidifying its stability in tourism.
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