Minister Ersoy Sets 5-Year Deadline for Identifying All Works
Minister Numan Kurtulmuş made a detailed presentation to the Members of Parliament (MPs) during the General Assembly of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT), where the 2024 budget and 2022 final account of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism were discussed.
During the assembly, Minister Kurtulmuş emphasized that Turkey has taken significant strides in the field of sustainable tourism, positioning itself as a global leader. He noted that Turkey became the first country to enter into an agreement with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, ensuring that more than 10,000 facilities will have received certification by the end of the year within the scope of the ‘Sustainable Tourism Program.’ Moreover, the Minister expressed their goal for all accommodation facilities in Turkey to have a “Sustainable Tourism Certificate” by the new season, highlighting Turkey’s exemplary status in the global tourism industry.
The Minister also shared that Turkey was successfully elected as a member of the World Heritage Committee for the third time, underscoring the nation’s commitment to protecting its rich cultural heritage. He noted the inclusion of Ankara on the UNESCO World Heritage List for the first time, and the recognition of the ‘Medieval Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Anatolia’ as the world’s first series of mosques, as noteworthy achievements.
Minister Kurtulmuş went on to discuss the Ministry’s ambitious plans for archaeological and excavation works in Turkey, detailing their intention to complete work equivalent to what has been done regarding archaeology in the country over the last 60 years in the next 4 years. He added that excavation works will be conducted under the direction of Turkish scientists for the first time in the country’s history, marking a significant milestone in the field of Turkish archaeology.
In terms of tourism revenues, the Minister highlighted the sector’s resilience and growth, and their aim to reach a target of 100 billion dollars in tourism revenues by 2028. He reported that the tourism sector hosted a total of 51.4 million visitors in 2022, marking a 71 percent increase compared to the previous year, and that they are well on their way to achieving their revenue goals.
Furthermore, the Minister addressed the advancements in the Museum National Inventory System, the Identification Project for the Security of Historical Artifacts, and Turkey’s commitment to combating cultural property smuggling, asserting that significant progress has been made in these areas.
Minister Kurtulmuş concluded by highlighting the Ministry’s success in increasing the number of elements registered in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists and the number of artists registered with the Folk Culture Information and Document Center. He emphasized that Turkey’s achievements in preserving and promoting its cultural heritage have positioned the country as a prominent figure in the global cultural landscape.
