According to the World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism is "tourism that meets the needs of industry, the environment and host communities, taking full account of the existing and future economic, social and environmental impacts".
Based on this definition, sustainable tourism
- make the best use of environmental resources, helping to sustain ecological processes and protect natural heritage and biodiversity,
- protect the cultural heritage and traditional values of local peoples by respecting their socio-cultural dynamics,
- contribute to intercultural understanding and tolerance,
- ensure sustainable economic operations,
- provide fair and stable employment opportunities to all stakeholders
- bring socio-economic benefits to the local community, including the provision of social services,
- should also contribute to poverty reduction.
On the other hand, while sustainable tourism ensures high tourist satisfaction, it should also increase the awareness of tourists on sustainability issues and encourage them to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process. It requires continuous monitoring of the effects and taking necessary preventive and/or corrective measures when necessary. Informing and conscious participation of all stakeholders is important within the scope of wide participation and consensus building.
Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Program was implemented with the circular numbered 2022/2 published by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on November 15, 2022, within the scope of adopting and maintaining the sustainability approach in the tourism sector, which has a large share in Türkiye’s economic expenses.
In order to comply with the criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), which has a decisive role in the international arena, Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Program Criteria (TR-I) have been developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) in cooperation with industry stakeholders and international organizations.
Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Program, which aims to ensure the sustainable growth of the tourism sector and to develop a common understanding with the participation of all stakeholders in the sector, has a three-stage certification system. Accommodation facilities with Verified Accommodation Facilities and Verified Accommodation Facilities must receive the 1st Stage Certificate until December 31st, 2023.
As İnteraktif Çevre, we provide consultancy services for all stages of the Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Program, together with our environmental consultancy and zero waste consultancy services that we have been providing to the tourism sector for a long time.
Sustainable Tourism Program Consultancy Service
We carry out our consultancy services for each stage of the Sustainable Tourism Program in the following stages:
- Current Status Analysis
- Sustainable Tourism Needs Analysis
- Education and Awareness Studies
- Monitoring of Environmental and Economic Benefits
- Risk Analysis and Documentation Studies required for the certification process
- Creation of Instructions and Forms for the Facility
- Data and Progress Tracking
- Reporting
- Documentation