Smart Museum Project to Cover 216 Museums and Archaeological Sites in Its First Phase
Türkiye is implementing a comprehensive digital transformation program aimed at reshaping its cultural tourism infrastructure through advanced technologies. The Smart Museum Project, developed in cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Türk Telekom, will initially cover 216 museums and archaeological sites across the country.
The initiative seeks to redefine the visitor experience through digital systems while establishing a centralized, data-driven operational model for cultural heritage management. Smart ticketing systems, digital payment infrastructure, AI-supported visitor analytics, audio guide services, and augmented and virtual reality applications form the core components of the transformation.
Digital Infrastructure Becomes the Operational Backbone of Cultural Tourism
Within the scope of the project, museums and archaeological sites will be equipped with high-speed fiber internet infrastructure, expanded Wi-Fi coverage, and systems compatible with future 5G integration. In addition, digital archiving solutions are planned to create a new data infrastructure for the preservation and management of cultural heritage.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that the project goes beyond a simple ticketing upgrade, describing it as a comprehensive digital transformation that redefines how Türkiye’s cultural heritage is managed.
Müzekart System Integrated into Digital Identity Framework
One of the key components of the project is the integration of the Müzekart system into a digital identity infrastructure. Existing cards will remain valid until expiration, after which users will transition to a system where memberships are linked to Turkish national ID cards via e-Government services and mobile applications.
This transition aims to allow visitors to enter museums and archaeological sites without physical cards or queuing at ticket counters.
Operational Efficiency and Long-Term Savings Model
According to the ministry, centralizing the system is expected to generate approximately 400 million Turkish Liras in annual savings. Over a 10-year period, total savings are projected to reach around 8 billion Turkish Liras.
This positions the project not only as a visitor experience upgrade but also as a strategic model for improving public sector operational efficiency.
Gradual Expansion of Scope Planned
The system, initially covering 216 museums and archaeological sites, is expected to expand further with the inclusion of 28 additional sites between 2026 and 2027.
According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) data, Türkiye had 636 museums as of 2024. Of these, 217 are operated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 401 are private museums, and 147 archaeological sites are open to visitors.
Strengthening the Digital Competitiveness Layer in Cultural Tourism
On a global scale, digital guides, augmented reality applications, and data-driven visitor management systems are becoming standard across museums and heritage sites. Türkiye’s Smart Museum Project aligns with this broader transformation, aiming to establish a technology-driven model for managing cultural heritage assets.
The inclusion of high-traffic destinations such as Ephesus, Hierapolis, Göreme Open-Air Museum, Zelve-Paşabağları, and Galata Tower further highlights the potential impact of the project on the country’s cultural tourism ecosystem.
