Türkiye’s travel and tourism sector is set for a period of “remarkable growth and transformation” over the next decade, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The WTTC’s latest economic research on the iconic country shows that the travel and tourism sector accounted for 12% of total Turkish GDP; a record level.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “As the world’s fifth most popular destination, Travel & Tourism in Türkiye is more than just a sector, it’s an integral part of the nation’s economy, fuelling growth, investment, and new jobs.
“We congratulate the national government’s efforts to place Travel & Tourism at the heart of decision-making, recognising its critical role in the country’s economy.”
Türkiye’s tourism sector also supported more than 3.2 million jobs – again a record high – meaning one in ever 10 jobs were tourism related.
International and domestic visitor spending also exceeded their previous records, reaching TRY 1.68TN and TRY 761.3BN respectively.
International visitor spending has surpassed its 2019 record by almost 36% and domestic visitor spending broke its previous record, from 2018, by almost 24%.
The sector is forecast to continue breaking records in 2024, with GDP contribution set to reach almost 12.5% of the country’s economy.
Jobs supported by Travel & Tourism are projected to surpass 3.3 million and spend from international and domestic visitors is also anticipated to set new records.
The outlook for the next ten years forecasts a decade of growth.
By 2034, the sector is expected to contribute more than TRY 4TN to the economy annually, whilst jobs are projected to reach almost 3.75 million.
