ISTANBUL — Türkiye is undergoing a significant transformation in its culture and tourism sectors as part of its long-term “Century of Türkiye” vision, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced.
Ersoy stated that since taking office, the government has approached culture and tourism as interconnected components of a single ecosystem, implementing integrated policies and projects across both fields. This strategy, he noted, has enabled steady progress and strengthened the mutual support between cultural production and tourism development.
Tourism Revenues Surge Despite Global Challenges
According to the minister, Türkiye has achieved remarkable growth in tourism over the past eight years, with revenues increasing by 109 percent between 2017 and 2025. This expansion occurred despite major global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, regional conflicts, and geopolitical tensions.
Türkiye has also diversified its tourism offerings, moving beyond traditional coastal tourism and expanding activities across the country. Improvements in infrastructure, service quality, and workforce development have helped position the country as a competitive global destination.
Cultural Exports Reach Global Audiences
In the cultural sphere, Türkiye has significantly increased original content production and international reach. Turkish television series now attract audiences in approximately 170 countries, reaching more than one billion viewers worldwide. The country’s film industry has also gained recognition through international awards and festivals.
Officials emphasized that continued government support has played a key role in boosting cultural exports and strengthening Türkiye’s global cultural influence.
Archaeology Initiative Marks “Golden Age”
A major pillar of the transformation is the “Legacy for the Future” (Geleceğe Miras) project, described as the most comprehensive archaeological initiative in Türkiye’s history. The program currently includes excavation and restoration work at 255 sites across 65 provinces.
Authorities reported that more than 15,000 artifacts have been added to museum collections through these efforts. Excavations are now conducted year-round, with Turkish coordinators assigned to all projects, including those involving international teams. The total number of archaeological excavations reached 776 in 2025, with a target of 800 in the near term.
Toward a Globally Influential Cultural Ecosystem
Officials highlighted that Türkiye’s scientific work in areas such as archaeology and historical research is increasingly attracting international attention. The broader vision aims to position the country not only as a tourism powerhouse but also as a global hub for cultural production and heritage preservation.
Overall, the “Century of Türkiye” strategy seeks to leverage culture and tourism together to drive sustainable economic growth, enhance international visibility, and strengthen the country’s soft power worldwide.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök