Destination Development and
Institutionalization Strategies
In the OIC Member Countries
84
4.1.4 Turkey
Background
With its historical sites, natural and cultural resources, and a four-season climate that allows for beach
holidays in the summer and skiing in the winter, Turkey is a global tourism destination. According to Turkstat,
Turkey has attracted 31.4 million visitors in 2016, with a total tourism spend of $22.1 billion. 265 Its top ten
source countries are Germany, Georgia, Bulgaria, Iran, the UK, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Russia, France, and
the US.
In addition, increasing income levels in emerging countries resulted in new groups of international visitors
from China, Indonesia and India.266 In terms of China, the One Belt One Road project led to strengthened
economic and political relations with China to the extent that the Chinese government officially announced
2018 as the “Turkey Tourism Year” in China, and it is expected that one million Chinese tourists will visit
Turkey by 2018.267
Table 15: Turkey 2016 Competitiveness Statistics Report268
International tourist arrivals (million) 39.5
International tourism inbound receipts (billion) $26.6
Average receipts per arrival $674
Travel and Tourism% of GDP 5
Travel and Tourism employment (%) 2.3
Source: UNWTO 2017 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Annual Report
Destination development institutional strategies
The history of governmental tourism destination management goes back to the 1950s. The Culture and
TourismMinistry managed local destinations through the Provincial Directorates of Culture and Tourism,
which were based in each city and were responsible to manage local historical and cultural artefacts as
well as certifying/auditing tourism related players such as hotels, restaurants, etc.
The organization chart below describes the relationship between the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and the
different organizations and DMOs responsible for tourism in Turkey.
265 Turkish Statistical Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved fro
266 UNWTO, UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme. (2017, April 12). Chinese tourists spent 12% more in travelling abroad in
2016 [Press release]. Retrieved fro
267 Turkey Targets 1 Million Chinese Tourists in 2018 [Web log post]. (2017, August 22). Retrieved from
268 World Economic Forum. (2017). Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 (Rep.).