Türkiye's Minister of Culture and Tourism receives an award in Italy for transforming seasonal excavations into year-round programmes, with significant progress reported at the ancient city of Ephesus.
Türkiye's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy


Paestum – Italy – Al-Rehla

Türkiye's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, has received the Paestum Award 2026 in recognition of the country's Heritage for the Future project, an initiative aimed at expanding archaeological excavations and protecting historical sites through increased funding and enhanced fieldwork programmes.

The award was presented on October 30, 2026, during the 28th Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism, held in Paestum, Italy, until November 1.

From Seasonal Excavations to Year-Round Operations

Ersoy explained that Türkiye has moved beyond the traditional excavation model, which previously limited archaeological work to three or four months annually, towards programmes that allow activities to continue throughout the year under five-year plans.

He revealed that excavation team budgets have increased threefold to fourfold compared with previous levels, alongside additional human resources and equipment allocated to archaeological sites.

According to the minister, the number of active archaeological excavation sites across Türkiye has increased from 157 eight years ago to 261 today.

Ephesus: Major Progress in Uncovering the Ancient City

Ersoy highlighted the ancient city of Ephesus as an example of the programme's achievements.

According to figures presented by the minister, the proportion of the site uncovered through archaeological excavations has increased from approximately 25–26%, following 163 years of excavation history, to 45% over the past three years.
Heritage for the Future project


Ephesus is among Türkiye's most prominent archaeological destinations, attracting visitors interested in ancient civilisations, Roman architecture and Greek heritage.

However, advances in archaeological excavations do not necessarily mean that all newly uncovered areas are accessible to tourists, as historical sites require conservation, restoration and visitor management measures before opening to the public.

Cultural Cooperation with Italy

The award was presented to Ersoy by Ugo Picarelli, founder and director of the Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism, who praised the Heritage for the Future initiative for its contribution to protecting cultural identity and highlighting historical heritage.

Ersoy also emphasised continued Turkish-Italian cooperation in archaeological excavation, restoration and museum activities.
He cited exhibitions held at the Colosseum in Rome to introduce international audiences to the archaeological significance of Göbeklitepe and Troy.

Al-Rehla Perspective | Protecting Heritage Before Expanding Visitor Access

The Heritage for the Future project highlights the importance of investing in archaeological research and the preservation of historical sites as foundations for developing cultural tourism.

However, the tourism value of such efforts cannot be measured solely by the number of excavation sites. It also depends on how many locations become accessible to visitors after appropriate conservation and safety measures, as well as the quality of information and services provided.

Expanding archaeological activity therefore represents a significant achievement supported by official statements, while its impact on tourist arrivals and tourism revenues requires separate, independently verified data.