Türkiye makes a breakthrough in cultural tourism
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy presented the 2026 budget report. The results are impressive.
Tourism in 2025 – a historical record:
- 50 million tourists from January to September
- $50 billion in revenue
- Growth in the world ranking: - from 8th to 4th place in the number of tourists - from 15th to 7th place in income
The best news for those who appreciate history and archeology:
- By the end of 2025, there will be 780 archaeological excavations underway in the country – an absolute record.
- There are more than 129,000 cultural heritage sites in Turkey.
- The Heritage for the Future project covers 65 provinces and 255 excavations simultaneously
Two major museums are preparing to launch:
Diyarbakır's E-Type Prison to Become a Huge Cultural Center
Antalya – the museum will expand from 9,500 to 19,500 m², exhibits – +164%
Return of artifacts:
• 109 items were returned in 2025
• 13,377 artifacts – from 2002 to 2025
The Ministry of Culture's 2026 budget is 69.9 billion lira. Turkey is simultaneously strengthening its industry, improving financial transparency, and investing in cultural heritage—and the figures show that the country is on the cusp of a new major breakthrough.