Ankara gains 2026 Turkic World Tourism Capital honor

(MENAFN) Ankara has been officially designated as the “2026 Turkic World Tourism Capital” during a symbolic handover ceremony held in Manas, Kyrgyzstan, officials announced Friday.

The decision was made at the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) tourism ministers’ meeting on July 9, 2025, according to the Ankara Governor’s Office. During the Manas event in Jalal-Abad, the symbolic key representing the title was handed over by Manas Mayor Ernisbek Ormokov to Ankara Deputy Governor Izzettin Sevgili and Ankara Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Erhan Karakaya.

The Turkic World Tourism Capital initiative, organized under the OTS, seeks to strengthen cultural cooperation among member states, promote shared heritage, and showcase the tourism potential of the Turkic world on an international stage. The ceremony featured Turkish and Kyrgyz cultural performances and highlighted the historical and spiritual ties between the two nations.

Throughout 2026, Ankara will host a series of cultural and tourism events coordinated by the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Ankara Governorship, in partnership with public institutions, local governments, academic organizations, and civil society groups. The city is expected to serve as a central hub for cultural solidarity and tourism exchange among Turkic cities over the course of the year.

MENAFN27122025000045017640ID1110528783