Minister Ersoy, who made a statement on his social account, stated that Turkish tourism is on the rise and that the sustainable tourism program is an example to the world.
Minister Ersoy said:
"In the World Economic Forum's 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, we have risen 11 places since 2019, reaching the 36th place. While our Sustainable Tourism Program was included in the report as an exemplary country application, we recorded the second highest development in the world with an increase of 8.3 percent in the field of socioeconomic impact of tourism. We manage the growth in tourism with an understanding that provides more profit to our people and protects our nature and cultural heritage. Together with all stakeholders of our sector "We will continue to increase Türkiye's competitiveness in tourism and make our success permanent."
"Türkiye's index score increased by 6.1 percent"
In the statement made by the Ministry, it was reported that according to WEF's current and comparable data series, Türkiye ranked 47th in 2019, 37th in 2024, and rose to 36th this year.
In the statement, it was emphasized that Türkiye has recorded a total increase of 11 places since 2019, and said, "Türkiye's index score increased by 6.1 percent, from 4.1206 in 2019 to 4.3734 in 2026. The score increase was 2.5 percent in the 2024-2026 period." information was given.
In the World Economic Forum's 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, it was stated that Türkiye was examined as an exemplary country application with its approach to manage rapid growth in tourism with sustainability standards, and it was noted that the studies carried out against the concentration of tourism mobility in certain destinations and practices that increase the benefits of growth to the local people come to the fore.
In the statement, it was emphasized that Türkiye has made progress in all of the "Socioeconomic Impact of Travel and Tourism", "Sustainability of Travel and Tourism Demand" and "Environmental Sustainability" indicators since 2024.
In the statement, it was underlined that in addition to the 8.3 percent increase in the socioeconomic impact area, a 5.1 percent improvement was achieved in the sustainability indicator of tourism demand, it was stated that the National Sustainable Tourism Program, which Türkiye implemented in 2022 in cooperation with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), was shown as an important step in the report.
In the statement, it was stated that more than 2,650 accommodation facilities in Türkiye received GSTC certification in the World Economic Forum's 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, and that the certification system is envisaged to become mandatory for accommodation facilities across the country by 2030, and the following was noted:
"It was stated that the program covers basic elements such as reducing environmental impacts, protecting cultural heritage and reflecting the social and economic benefits obtained from tourism more strongly to local communities. Using the example of Turkey, the importance of strengthening local economic, social and environmental gains while managing growth in tourism was pointed out. Providing local people more benefits from tourism and supporting the quality of life in destinations were cited as among the basic elements of the long-term success of the sector."
