World Travel and Tourism Council head praises Antalya’s sustainable tourism efforts

World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) President Julia Simpson recently visited Antalya, where she met with Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Bocek to discuss the future of sustainable tourism and Türkiye’s growing role in the global travel economy.

During her visit, Simpson emphasized that her primary reason for traveling to Antalya was to engage in direct discussions with Mayor Bocek. She praised Antalya’s proactive and visionary approach to sustainability in tourism, describing it as a model not just for Türkiye but for destinations worldwide.

Strong growth for Türkiye’s tourism

In the course of their meeting, Simpson also shared the WTTC’s latest economic forecasts regarding Türkiye’s tourism sector. According to the council’s updated projections, the tourism industry is expected to contribute approximately ₺5.2 trillion ($135.23 billion) to Türkiye’s economy in the coming period.

This figure represents around 12% of the country’s total economic output, underlining the strategic importance of the sector for national growth.

In addition to its financial impact, tourism is anticipated to create significant employment opportunities. Simpson stated that the industry could support up to 3.3 million jobs across Türkiye, offering livelihoods to millions while strengthening local economies.

“We are extremely pleased to witness the strong and resilient growth of Türkiye’s tourism sector,” said Simpson. She further highlighted that Antalya’s achievements in aligning tourism development with sustainability principles have set a powerful example on the global stage.