WTTC honours Türkiye’s Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has presented its Global Champion Award to Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, in recognition of his contribution to the development of the country’s tourism industry. The award was presented during the WTTC Global Summit in Valletta, Malta, where international tourism executives and government representatives gathered to discuss the sector’s future.

The recognition highlights Türkiye’s tourism development and the cooperation between government institutions and private businesses. According to WTTC, Ersoy has played an important role in encouraging investment, supporting destination development and strengthening the country’s competitiveness in international tourism markets. The organisation particularly emphasised his approach to cooperation with the private sector.

The award ceremony took place during a summit attended by more than 1,000 delegates, including over 200 senior executives from leading international travel and tourism companies. The Global Champion Award recognises public-sector leaders whose policies and cooperation with industry stakeholders have contributed to the development of tourism and strengthened the international position of their destinations.

Public-private cooperation at the centre of recognition

WTTC identified cooperation between government and tourism businesses as a central factor behind Türkiye’s development as an international destination.

Under Ersoy’s leadership, the country has continued to attract tourism investment while expanding its appeal across different market segments. These include traditional leisure tourism, cultural travel and business tourism.

The organisation also highlighted Türkiye’s geographical position between Europe, Asia and the Middle East, which supports its role as both an international tourism destination and a transport hub.

Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of WTTC, praised the minister’s engagement with private-sector stakeholders.

“Minister Ersoy has been a true partner to Türkiye's Travel & Tourism private sector, championing collaboration and recognising the vital role businesses play in driving growth, investment and innovation.”

Guevara also attributed the country’s tourism performance to a combination of government strategy, private-sector participation and investment conditions.

According to WTTC, this cooperation has contributed to strengthening Türkiye’s position in European and international tourism markets.

Tourism economy expected to expand in 2026

WTTC forecasts that travel and tourism’s contribution to Türkiye’s gross domestic product will increase by 3.7 percent in 2026.

Spending on leisure travel is expected to grow by 4.1 percent, indicating continued demand for tourism services and experiences in the country.

The forecasts underline the economic importance of the sector, which supports employment, investment and international connectivity across different regions of Türkiye.

Tourism activity extends beyond the country's established coastal destinations. Cultural attractions, historical sites, urban tourism and business travel also contribute to the industry's economic reach.

WTTC considers this diversity an important component of Türkiye’s international competitiveness, allowing the destination to serve different traveller groups and travel purposes.

The organisation also pointed to the role of investment in tourism infrastructure and destination development in supporting long-term growth.

International recognition at the Malta summit

The Global Champion Award forms part of WTTC's efforts to highlight cooperation between governments and the international travel industry.

As an organisation representing the private sector in global travel and tourism, WTTC advocates policies designed to improve international connectivity, encourage investment and support sustainable industry development.

The award presented to Ersoy reflects the council's assessment of Türkiye's tourism policies and their contribution to cooperation between public authorities and businesses.

For the international travel industry, Türkiye remains an important destination across several segments, including package holidays, cultural tourism, city breaks and business travel.

The country's established tourism infrastructure and connections with international source markets provide a foundation for continued development, while investment and destination diversification remain central themes in its tourism strategy.

WTTC's latest forecasts suggest that tourism will continue to contribute to economic growth in Türkiye during 2026, reinforcing the sector's significance for the country's wider economy.

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration with material courtesy of WTTC