Now the 4th Most Visited Country in the World

By Feyzullah Aslantürk
In a landmark achievement, Türkiye has surpassed Italy to become the 4th most visited country in the world, attracting 56.7 million foreign visitors in 2024. According to the May 2025 World Tourism Barometer published by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Türkiye moved up one place from 5th to 4th in global tourism rankings. The top five countries now include France, Spain, the United States, Türkiye, and Italy.
This upward momentum highlights Türkiye’s strengthening position not only in regional tourism but also on the global stage. With a total of 62.3 million visitors recorded in 2024, Türkiye’s performance reflects both strategic planning and the successful promotion of its rich cultural heritage.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy commented on the achievement:
“These results confirm Türkiye’s continued rise in global tourism. Climbing one more step in the international visitor rankings demonstrates our strength in this field. Our total number of visitors in 2024 reached 62.3 million—another historic record.”
Minister Ersoy emphasized that this success stems from a combination of factors: robust infrastructure, diverse year-round tourism offerings, and effective promotion of Türkiye’s historical and cultural richness.
“Türkiye is no longer just a destination to admire, but a country to emulate,” he stated confidently.

CULTURE-POWERED TOURISM: THE TÜRKİYE CULTURE ROUTE FESTIVAL
To sustain and amplify this success, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism continues to launch dynamic initiatives. Among the most impactful is the Türkiye Culture Route Festival, an ambitious and culturally rich project that connects cities, traditions, and people across the country.

The goal?
The goal is to spread tourism to all 81 provinces and extend activity throughout all 12 months of the year.
This long-term effort, ongoing for the past five years, represents a major step in transforming cities into cultural and tourism hubs. The Culture Route Festival is quickly becoming one of the world’s longest and most vibrant cultural festivals, offering a powerful blend of local heritage, performing arts, exhibitions, and gastronomy.

ECONOMIC & SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE FESTIVAL
At the Samsun Culture Route Festival, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nadir Alpaslan stated:
“The Culture Route Festival has become one of the world’s most recognized and visited cultural events. Its year-round structure, volume of activities, and scale of engagement significantly boost the local economy—from hospitality and dining to employment and tourism branding.”
Starting five years ago in Istanbul, the festival has now expanded to 20 cities, with a vision to include all provinces over time. The Ministry is prioritizing larger cities in each region, taking into account cultural potential and geographic diversity.

A FESTIVAL THAT UNITES A NATION THROUGH ART
Since its inception in 2021, the Türkiye Culture Route Festival has continued to grow, uniting millions of visitors with art, music, theater, and culinary experiences in cities across the country. Beyond boosting local tourism, it also elevates Türkiye’s international brand value and reputation as a leading cultural destination.

In 2025, the festival is being held in 20 cities including:
Adana, Manisa, Şanlıurfa, Samsun, Bursa, Trabzon, Van, Nevşehir, Erzurum, Çanakkale, Kayseri, Gaziantep (GastroAntep), Konya, Ankara, Istanbul, Malatya, Diyarbakır, Mardin, İzmir, and Antalya.
Visitors can follow the schedule and explore each city’s events: visit Kultur Yolu Festivali.

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES: LOCAL FLAVORS ON THE CULTURE ROUTE
An integral part of the festival experience is its culinary richness. Across 20 cities, visitors can enjoy signature dishes from local restaurants, highlighting the diversity and depth of Turkish cuisine. Food becomes both a celebration and a cultural bridge, fostering shared traditions and new discoveries.

ART, HISTORY, AND JOY FOR ALL AGES
From captivating art exhibitions to children’s activities, the Culture Route Festival has something for everyone. In Samsun, the “Tale Castle” charmed families, while historical exhibits reminded visitors of the city’s crucial role in Türkiye’s War of Independence.
As Türkiye continues to rise in global tourism rankings, it is clear that a strategy rooted in culture, history, and inclusivity is key to sustained success. With its sights set on 70 million tourists and $70 billion in tourism revenue by 2025, Türkiye is not only reaching new heights—it is redefining what modern tourism can look like. ■