Türkiye generated a record 65.2 billion U.S. dollars in tourism revenue in 2025 as the country welcomed 64 million visitors, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said Friday.
Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul, Ersoy attributed the sector’s strong performance to efforts to diversify tourism offerings, upgrade infrastructure and expand global promotion campaigns.
He highlighted several initiatives, including the government’s “Legacy for the Future” vision and the Night Museums program, which extends opening hours and introduces interactive cultural experiences.
Ersoy also pointed to the success of Türkiye’s tourism “mini‑series” campaign. One episode of An Istanbul Story drew 32 million views, while even the least‑watched content surpassed 10 million.
Citing United Nations World Tourism Organization data, Ersoy said Türkiye has risen sharply in global rankings — moving from eighth place in tourist arrivals in 2017 to fourth in 2024, while its tourism revenue ranking climbed from 15th to seventh over the same period.
