TÜRKİYE’S SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROGRAM

As the first government to sign a collaboration agreement with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Türkiye’s Sustainable Tourism Program brings the country to the forefront of sustainable tourism. With this program, Türkiye becomes the first country to develop a program with the government in the field of sustainable tourism. The Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Program rewards the real practitioners of sustainable tourism and builds trust and credibility among visitors. Through the program, Türkiye not only fulfils obligations arising from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement, but also stands as an exemplar for all sectors and the world with the transformation of tourism in this direction. Developed at international standards, the Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Program encourages facilities and destinations to develop continuously. Within the scope of the Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Program, it is aimed that all accommodation facilities in Türkiye will comply with global sustainability practices in gradual transitions by 2030 and that all international standards will be met by 2030.

Türkiye is the ultimate destination for ethical, conscious travelers – a beautiful, untouched country passionate about sustainability that is calling out to be discovered! Whether you’re craving time in nature away from the crowds or seeking immersion in traditional heritage, Türkiye calls to green-minded adventurers from all over the world. It offers numerous sustainable travel options for visitors who are environmentally-conscious, seek to minimize their carbon footprint, and care about recognizing and protecting local cultures while having unforgettable experiences.

Sustainable Türkiye ranks third globally in the number of Blue Flag Beaches, while Antalya maintains its leadership as the city with the most Blue Flag awards among cities worldwide. Türkiye also continues to be among the top three countries with the most UNESCO registrations, with 25 items registered in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. It is also possible to experience the diverse cultural delights around every corner, get to know the country’s traditional lifestyles, discover the rich Turkish cuisine, explore the country using eco-friendly transportation through hiking, trekking, cycling roads and try various outdoor activities here. Türkiye aims to leave the ultimate long-lasting legacy for future generations: an intact and healthy Planet Earth. Therefore, Türkiye invites all travelers to beautiful Türkiye to achieve this objective, implying the vast range of sustainable tourism experiences available in the country.
Over one million hotel beds in Türkiye have now received sustainable tourism verifications and certificates, according to figures released today by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, at the beginning of WTM. More than 7,500 hotels containing 1,044,189 beds have been awarded Sustainable Tourism Verifications and Certificates within Türkiye’s National Sustainability Tourism Program. The certification process is an integral part of Türkiye’s programme, which has been developed in partnership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council – with which Türkiye was the first country in the world to sign an agreement on a government level. On the first day of the World Travel Market in London, Mr Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, said: “Overall visitor arrivals to Türkiye from January to September 2023 totalled 45.230.069 – an increase of 12.4% from the same period in 2022. The UK is one of our key target markets. Having held ABTA’s annual Travel Convention in Bodrum between October 29th and November 2nd this year confirms this. There were 3.157.421 UK visitor arrivals to Türkiye from January to September 2023 - an increase of 12.1% from the same period in 2022. While we concentrate heavily on the growth of our tourism industry, we are equally determined to preserve our country’s resources for future generations. Here at WTM, together with our local industry stakeholders, we present our unique tourism destinations and products. But at the same time, we are happy to announce that our National Sustainable Tourism Programme is on track to making fast and effective progress towards its goals. Over 45 million people visited Türkiye in the first nine months of 2023. With over one million hotel beds in our largest tourism regions now sustainably verified and certified, we are happy to see that a substantial number of international visitors to Türkiye have stayed in these accommodation facilities.” Türkiye is one of only a few countries worldwide with a ‘must have’ approach to sustainable tourism with the certification of accommodation facilities mandated by law. Looking at the progress of the National Sustainable Tourism Program in Türkiye’s four largest tourism regions, 1,144 accommodation facilities have been verified/certified in Antalya, 966 in İstanbul, 639 in Muğla, and 488 in İzmir.

For more details about Türkiye and its National Sustainable Tourism Programme:
https://goturkiye.com/
https://goturkiye.com/sustainability