Minister Ersoy: COP31 site will be transferred to the management of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism after the event is over.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy answered the questions and criticisms of the members of parliament during the discussions on the 2027 budget of his Ministry at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Planning and Budget Commission.

Stating that Türkiye has faced various crises in the past, Ersoy stated that they made changes to the tourism strategy in 2018, and in this context, they completed the work on the establishment of the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) in 2019.

Ersoy emphasized that they focus on the development of quality tourism as well as quantity.

Reminding that they completed 2025 with 65.2 billion dollars of tourism income and 64 million visitors, Ersoy said that they started 2026 with positive data, but the war between Israel, the USA and Iran, which started on February 28, affected the sector.

Explaining that there were up to 20 percent cancellations during the early booking period, especially in the resort regions of Antalya and the Aegean, Ersoy stated that a significant part of the losses were compensated with intense promotional activities.

"Türkiye has managed to become an island of stability"

Pointing out that tourism is affected by developments such as wars in neighboring countries, closure of airspaces and increases in energy costs, Ersoy pointed out that the increase in aviation fuel prices also increases air transportation costs.

Stating that the Russia-Ukraine War and the conflicts in Iran created uncertainty in the sector, despite this, Türkiye stands out with its stable position, Ersoy said, "Despite all these negativities, Turkey managed to become an island of stability in the middle of the ring of fire." he said.

Emphasizing that Türkiye's peaceful foreign policy and diplomatic efforts have made a positive contribution to the country's perception of tourism, Ersoy said that tourist arrivals have been increased again with promotional campaigns and digital communication efforts.

Pointing out the importance of source market and product diversity in order to increase resilience against crises in tourism, Ersoy stated that strengthening airline connections and effectively carrying out promotional activities are also effective in this process.

Tourism income per person per night increased to 119.9 dollars

Stating that the per capita nightly expenditure should be taken as a basis in evaluating the increase in tourism revenues, Ersoy explained that the per capita nightly income of foreign tourists, which was 82.9 dollars at the end of 2017, increased to 119.9 dollars in the 9 months of this year, an increase of 44.6 percent.

Ersoy stated that in the calculation where Turkish citizens living abroad were also included, the per capita nightly income increased from 75.8 dollars to 107.7 dollars, and the increase was 42.2 percent.

New tourism projects to extend the season

Stating that efforts to extend the season have been among his priorities since the day he took office, Ersoy stated that the Aegean Tourism Centers Çeşme and Didim stages were developed in line with this goal.

Emphasizing that global competition in tourism is increasing, Ersoy said, "Citizens of all countries of the world are our potential guests, but now all countries of the world are our potential competitors." he said.

Stating that oil countries also invest in tourism and that countries in different geographies are working to get a larger share from tourism, Ersoy said that destinations should therefore be developed with investments appropriate to their own characteristics.

"We are establishing the MICE Presidency within TGA"

Minister Ersoy informed that they established a new unit under the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency and said:

"We are establishing the MICE Presidency within TGA because the part we call events is mainly effective in the low season. Antalya will also host COP31. The COP31 site is gradually transferred to the management of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism after the event is over. The MICE Presidency we established within TGA will take over this place."

Ersoy stated that efforts are being made to bring Formula 1 races to Türkiye and that an agreement was made to organize the races in Türkiye for 5 years.

Emphasizing that they will not limit the race organization only to the events on the track, Ersoy stated that they are preparing events that will contribute to the promotion of Istanbul before and after the race.

Explaining that various events will be organized throughout Istanbul during the race week, Ersoy stated that they aim to increase the contribution of sports organizations to tourism activity.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Ersoy said:

"We also won the evacuation case of the Lütfi Kırdar Congress Center in Istanbul and it will be transferred to us in December. Once our investments in the center are completed, we will be able to make bids on a state basis for international congresses in both Istanbul and Antalya."

After the discussions in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Planning and Budget Commission, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Radio and Television Supreme Council, the General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet, the General Directorate of State Theatres, the Turkish Manuscripts Association, the General Directorate of Foundations, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language and History, the Atatürk Research Center, the Atatürk Cultural Center, the Turkish Language Association, the Turkish Historical Society, the Cappadocia Area Directorate and The 2027 budgets of Uludağ Area Presidency were accepted.