Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said, "Today, with the joint decision taken at the 10th Meeting of Tourism Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States, our capital Ankara has been declared the 'Tourism Capital of the Turkic World' for 2026."

The 10th Meeting of Tourism Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) began at a hotel in Ankara. The meeting was attended by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, heads of delegations from member and observer countries, and guests. In his opening speech, Minister Ersoy stated that the Turkic world, shaped around the common understanding of language, history, culture, and civilization, is becoming an increasingly visible, effective, and holistic structure both regionally and globally. Ersoy stated that relations in the field of tourism with the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States are strengthening, saying, "In the first 5-month period of 2025, we hosted 317,000 visitors from Azerbaijan, 203,000 from Kazakhstan, 79,000 from Kyrgyzstan, 215,000 from Uzbekistan, 58,000 from Hungary, 106,000 from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and 70,000 from Turkmenistan in our country. On this occasion, I would like to sincerely thank all our brotherly peoples and my esteemed colleagues for their intense interest in Türkiye."

'WE AIM TO CARRY THE TRACES OF THE PAST TO THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE'

Minister Ersoy emphasized that various projects are being implemented in cultural heritage areas to enrich the visitor experience, saying, "This year, with the 'Night Museum' application between June 1 and October 1, 27 of our cultural heritage sites, such as Hagia Sophia Mosque, Galata Tower, Ephesus, Nemrut, and Zeugma Mosaic Museum, will be open to visitors in the evening hours with special lighting. We are also establishing digital experience museums, such as the ones in Hagia Sophia and Ephesus, to tell history to the younger generations with digital content. Another new application is our 'Legacy for the Future' project. With this project, we have taken a very important step to protect our cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations in the best possible way. Within the scope of the project, we are increasing scientific efficiency by extending archaeological excavation works to the whole year without limiting them to certain periods, and we are uncovering the remains that shed light on our history in a more systematic and sustainable way. In this way, we both contribute to the academic world and lay the groundwork for the development of cultural tourism by supporting local development. With these meticulous efforts continuing throughout Türkiye, we aim to carry the traces of the past to the future with confidence," he said.

'OUR TOTAL NUMBER OF VISITORS IN 2024 IS 62.3 MILLION'

Stating that they have given great momentum to the development of Turkish archeology, Ersoy said, "In the past months, we made an important discovery and brought the 47th Tumulus to light in Gordion, the capital of the Phrygian Civilization, located within the borders of our capital Ankara. This heritage site, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is also an important opportunity to introduce Ankara's cultural depth to the world public," he said.

Minister Ersoy stated that they are receiving the results of effectively protecting and promoting historical heritage and cultural riches in the international arena, saying, "According to the May 2025 World Tourism Barometer published by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Türkiye became the 4th country in the world to host the most tourists in 2024 with 56.7 million foreign visitors. I am pleased to share this success with you, the esteemed representatives of the Organization of Turkic States, here. Türkiye, which has risen one step compared to the previous year and moved from 5th to 4th place, has maintained its steady rise in this field. Our total number of visitors in 2024 has reached 62.3 million," he said.

'ANKARA HAS A HISTORICAL DEPTH'

Ersoy stated that the increasing cooperation of the Organization of Turkic States with its member countries, observer countries, and organizations in various fields in recent times has started to yield concrete results in tourism, saying, "Steps such as the creation of joint tourism routes, visa facilities, and joint promotion of cultural heritage will make not only Türkiye but also the entire Turkic world more visible and attractive. Ankara, located in the heart of Anatolia, has hosted many civilizations throughout history and has a historical depth extending from the Seljuks to the Ottomans and finally to the establishment of our Republic. Ankara, with its symbolic structures of the Republic such as Anıtkabir, the 1st Parliament and Ankara Palas, ancient structures from the Roman era, traditional architectural examples, natural thermal beauties, and contemporary art centers, has a unique identity that blends the past and the future. Our capital is also an important center in terms of cultural diplomacy. It stands out for hosting events that carry the common values not only of Türkiye but also of the Turkic world. With its deep-rooted history, numerous thematic museums, and its texture where both traditional and modern art are kept alive, it is a city that deserves to be discovered, especially in terms of cultural tourism, with its cultural and art centers such as CSO Ada, which is one of the leading venues of Türkiye's art life and was opened in 2020 with the presence of our President. In this regard, I would like to express my pleasure in announcing that we want to declare Ankara as the 'Tourism Capital of the Turkic World' for 2026 within the Organization of Turkic States," he said. Following Ersoy's speech, the 10th Meeting of TDT Tourism Ministers continued behind closed doors. Minister Ersoy, sharing the joint decision taken at the meeting on his social media account, announced that Ankara was declared the 'Tourism Capital of the Turkic World' for 2026. In his post, Ersoy said, "With its history, culture, and spirit, this title suits our Ankara very well. Today, with the joint decision taken at the 10th Meeting of Tourism Ministers of the Organization of Turkish States, our capital Ankara was declared the 'Tourism Capital of the Turkic World' for 2026. Ankara is one of the rare cities reflecting the common memory of the Turkic world with its rich heritage extending from Gordion to Anıtkabir, from the Roman Baths to CSO Ada Ankara, its museums, art institutions, and cultural diversity. This ancient capital, rising in the heart of Anatolia, will now be the culture and tourism showcase not only of Turkey but also of the Turkic world. Throughout 2026, we will explore Ankara together, and we will continue to bring the values of our capital together with our brotherly peoples."