The pioneering efforts of Turkey in the field of sustainable tourism will be presented at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).
Turkey, by entering into an agreement with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), has implemented the Sustainable Tourism Certification Program, marking the world's first pioneering initiative in this regard.
Within this framework, the number of facilities that have completed the initial criteria nationwide has surpassed 7,000. Additionally, over a thousand hotels have received the sustainable tourism certification by meeting all the criteria.
Turkey's efforts in the field of sustainable tourism under the certification program are being highlighted by the GSTC as an example worldwide.
In this context, Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar, the Rector of Cappadocia University, Elif Balcı Fisünoğlu, Deputy General Manager of the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), Kaan Kaşif Kavaloğlu, the Agency's Spokesperson, Erkan Yağcı, the President of the Turkey Hoteliers Federation, and Ram Kumar, the Deputy President of GSTC, will present Turkey's sustainable tourism initiatives at COP28.
During the conference in the United Arab Emirates, a panel discussion on December 10th will address the success of Turkish tourism in the field of sustainability.
It is anticipated that Turkey's efforts in implementing sustainable tourism as a precaution against global climate change will serve as a model for the world.
"We will crown Turkey's honor"
Kaan Kaşif Kavaloğlu, the President of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association, also spoke to AA correspondent, stating that Turkey has taken measures in tourism against global climate change by signing the Sustainable Tourism Program agreement with the GSTC.
Highlighting their leadership in environmental sensitivity and the sustainability of the system in tourism worldwide, Kavaloğlu stated:
"Turkey became the first country in the world to reach an agreement with the GSTC for sustainable tourism. Over a thousand hotels have received certification by meeting all the criteria so far, and our country has achieved great success in this field. With the agreement signed by our Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Turkey became part of the Sustainable Tourism Program. Being the first country to do this in tourism was important. At COP28, we will have the opportunity to share the successful operation we conducted as TGA with our academics. We will crown Turkey's honor in this regard."
Expressing the hope that all tourism stakeholders, not just accommodation facilities, will embrace this program, Kavaloğlu said, "Sustainability is a very important issue. We expect all agencies and restaurants serving tourism, and everyone involved in this field, to develop awareness. It will be the primary reason for tourists to choose our country. We believe that Turkey's success can be effectively used in marketing."