Tourism plays a key role in Turkey's economy and cultural identity. The country's unique historical heritage, spectacular natural beauty and friendly people attract millions of visitors from all over the world every year.
However, this success should be sustained with an approach that takes into account not only the present but also the future. For this reason, the concept of sustainable tourism is becoming increasingly important for actors in the sector.
Sustainable tourism emphasises the need to manage environmental, social and economic impacts in a balanced way. This ensures that both tourist destinations are protected and local communities benefit. Turkey's steps in this field have been taken to promote the sustainability of tourism following national and international standards.
In this blog, we aim to provide guidance on how hoteliers can embrace sustainable tourism and what to look out for in the process. In this guide, you will learn how to achieve these benefits and how to meet the criteria for sustainable tourism.
The Importance of Sustainable Tourism
Tourism enables millions of people every year to meet different cultures, natural beauties and new experiences. However, this interaction is a sector that impacts local communities and the environment. Sustainable tourism aims to maximise the positive aspects of tourism while minimising the negative aspects by taking these impacts into account.
Sustainability in Global and Local Perspective
Globally, the tourism sector is a major source of carbon emissions and can deplete natural resources. On the other hand, tourism can be a major contributor to local economies, but there are also cases where this income is not fairly distributed among local communities.
Sustainable tourism aims to address and solve these challenges on a global and local scale.
Global sustainability addresses climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, while local sustainability prioritises the preservation of local culture, social justice and economic development.
The combination of the two perspectives ensures that tourism is beneficial for both the planet and local communities.
Impact of Tourism on Natural and Cultural Resources
Tourism can have an important role in the conservation and promotion of natural and cultural resources. Tourists, especially those visiting natural beauty and historical sites, should recognise the importance of sustainable conservation and maintenance of these areas.
However, excessive tourism or an uncontrolled influx of tourists can lead to degradation of natural habitats, erosion of historic sites and dilution of local cultures. This can lead to both a less satisfying experience for tourists and a loss of resources for local communities.
Sustainable tourism aims to find this balance between conservation and utilisation. This ensures that tourism ceases to be a threat to both environmental and cultural resources in the long term.
Turkey's Place in Sustainable Tourism
Turkey is an important destination in tourism with its unique natural beauties and rich historical and cultural heritage. However, protecting and promoting these riches in a sustainable manner carries a great responsibility both locally and internationally. Being aware of this responsibility, Turkey is taking important steps in the field of sustainable tourism.
Turkey and GSTC Co-operation
The cooperation between the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and Turkey has helped to harmonise national standards on sustainable tourism with international standards. This cooperation has strengthened Turkey's position in sustainable tourism and created an opportunity to promote the country's capabilities in this field on a global scale.
What is the Turkish Sustainable Tourism Industry Criteria (TR-I)?
The Turkish Sustainable Tourism Industry Criteria (TR-I) has been established to ensure the sustainable growth of the Turkish tourism sector and to develop a common understanding of Turkish tourism with the participation of all tourism stakeholders.
TR-I has been prepared to be applied for accommodation facilities and tour operators and incorporates globally recognised sustainable tourism criteria and criteria appropriate to Turkey's social and cultural structure.
Organised under four main headings, TR-I is categorised as sustainable management, socio-economic impacts, cultural impacts and environmental impacts. These standards include the principles and practices that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey requires ththe e Turkish tourism industry to adopt, and compliance with TR-I standards is only possible based on the criteria in this document.
The Meaning of TR-I Criteria for Hotel Operators
For hotel operators in the tourism sector, sustainability protects natural and cultural heritage and makes their businesses more competitive, profitable and sustainable for the future. Turkey Sustainable Tourism Industry Criteria (TR-I) is a guide for hotel operators in this sense. TR-I guides hotel operators in sustainable management and operating practices by considering both compliance with international standards and Turkey's unique conditions.
TR-I's Three Stage Certification Process
The TR-I provides hotel operators with a three-stage roadmap for progress in sustainable tourism:
- Phase One Document: Consisting of 14 criteria, this stage offers operators the opportunity to start basic sustainability practices. The obligation to obtain a certificate is until the end of 2023.
- Phase Two Certificate: In addition to the first stage, it covers 15 more criteria. This stage gives operators the chance to further deepen their sustainability practices.
- Green Tourism Certificate: This final stage, which covers 42 criteria in total, is awarded to hotel operators who successfully fulfil all sustainability criteria. Until 2030, it is mandatory to obtain this certificate.
How to Obtain a Green Tourism Certificate?
The Green Tourism Certificate can be obtained by hotel operators fulfilling thirteen more criteria in addition to the criteria of the 1st and 2nd Stage Certificate. This certificate is an award that shows the success and commitment of the operator in sustainable tourism. The criteria and application process required to obtain the certificate are presented in detail on the official website of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
How to Obtain Turkey Sustainable Tourism Programme Stage 1 Certificate?
For the Stage 1 Certificate, hotel operators must first fulfil 14 criteria. These criteria include basic sustainability practices such as energy saving, water management and waste management. The application process, the conditions and the training required to obtain the certificate can be followed on the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's website.
Practical Steps for Sustainability
Adopting sustainability in the tourism sector is not limited to environmental factors. When considered as a whole with its socio-economic, cultural and environmental dimensions, sustainability can contribute to the growth of the sector in a more equitable, inclusive and nature-friendly manner. For hotel operators, practical steps to be taken in this sense can affect the long-term success of both the business and the destination.
Sensitivity to Socio-Economic and Cultural Impacts
Co-operation with Local Communities: Hotel operators can make a socio-economic contribution by co-operating with local communities. This can be in the form of favouring local products and services or hiring local people.
Preserving Cultural Heritage: Hotel operators can protect this heritage by introducing and preserving the cultural richness of the destination to their guests. In addition, it is also important to reflect the culture of the region through hotel events and themes.
Awareness and Education: Providing information about sustainable tourism to guests and employees can raise awareness. This can be done through workshops, seminars or informative brochures.
Strategies to Minimise Environmental Impacts
Energy and Water Saving: Hotel businesses can reduce costs and reduce their environmental footprint by using modern technologies to save energy and water. For example; motion sensor lighting, water-saving taps and shower heads.
Waste Management: Recycling, composting and waste minimisation strategies can help hotel businesses reduce the amount of waste. It is also important to limit the use of single-use plastic products.
Local and Sustainable Supply Chain: Buying from local suppliers reduces the carbon footprint and supports the local economy. It is also important to favour suppliers that have adopted sustainable production methods such as sustainable fishing or organic farming.
Management and Business Practices in Sustainable Tourism
Successful management and operation in sustainable tourism requires hotel operators to make strategic decisions that take into account both environmental and socio-economic impacts. The TR-I criteria provide operators with practical and applicable guidelines in this area. It informs how hotel operators can be more effective and efficient in areas such as energy and water saving, co-operation with local communities, sustainable supply chain management. These practices can help businesses reduce not only their environmental footprint but also their operational costs.
Advantages of Sustainability in Hotel Businesses
Sustainability is not only a trend or a social responsibility for hoteliers, but also a strategic tool to grow and succeed in their business. When implemented correctly, sustainability offers a number of advantages to hoteliers. These advantages not only protect the natural environment, but can also have a positive impact on the profitability and brand value of the business.
Competitive Advantage and Brand Value
Differentiation: Hotel operators can stand out from their competitors with sustainability practices. Especially with the rise of ecotourism and green tourism trends, hotels operating with sustainable practices are becoming more preferable.
Positive Brand Perception: Sustainability increases the brand value of the hotel. Hotels that pay attention to their environmental, social and economic responsibilities are perceived more positively by both individual travellers and corporate customers.
Cost Savings: Sustainable practices such as energy and water saving and waste minimisation also provide cost advantages to hotel businesses. In the long run, these savings can increase the profitability of the business.
Customer Loyalty and New Market Opportunities
Loyal Customer Base: Sustainability is an important value, especially for new generation consumers. Hotels that adopt these values can establish a stronger bond with their customers and gain their loyalty.
New Customer Segments: Sustainable practices allow hotels to reach new customer segments. Especially ecotourists, who prefer environmentally friendly travelling, search for sustainable hotel options.
Corporate Collaborations: Hotels with more sustainable practices become more attractive for corporate collaborations with large companies or organisations. Many corporate companies will prefer to organise their events and meetings in hotels that comply with sustainability principles.
Conclusion: The Future of Sustainable Tourism and Hotel Management
Sustainable tourism has become an international necessity and this is an inevitable fact for the hotel management sector. Sustainability does not only mean the protection of natural resources; it also covers social and economic dimensions.
Turkey has a great potential in the tourism sector with its historical, cultural and natural beauties and the sustainable utilisation of this potential will further strengthen the country's position in tourism.
Turkey's Potential in Sustainable Tourism
Turkey has an excellent potential for sustainable tourism with its rich natural and cultural heritage. Proper management of this potential will enable Turkey to become a sustainable and competitive player in the tourism sector. However, in order to fully utilise this potential, all stakeholders in the sector should come together to determine a common vision and strategy.
Role and Responsibility of Hotel Operators
Hotel operators have a critical position for the success of sustainable tourism. Businesses should contribute to the sustainable growth of the sector by fulfilling their social and economic responsibilities as well as reducing their environmental impact.
In this context, Carbon Gate's sector-specific end-to-end sustainability services can provide important guidance to hotel operators in taking the right steps in this area. Carbon Gate can help hotel operators develop strategies in line with sustainability principles, which will help them increase their operational efficiency and enhance their brand value.
To summarise, sustainable tourism is not just a fashion or a temporary trend for the hotel business, but a necessity for the future of the sector. In order for Turkey to make full use of its potential in this field, hotel operators need to take a proactive approach and put sustainability principles at the centre of their business.
For a more sustainable tourism, Carbon Gate stands by Turkey's tourism and is the solution partner of hotel operators. Let's contact us now to get information about our services!
