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The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the “Sustainable Tourism Workshop,” held in Denizli, Türkiye, from September 15 to 18, organized by the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) in collaboration with the Republic of Türkiye’s Eastern Mediterranean Development Agency (DOĞAKA) and Southern Aegean Development Agency (GEKA).
The workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Technology, nine regional development agencies, and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA). Its goal was to strengthen the understanding of sustainable tourism and Türkiye’s Sustainable Hotel Certification Program among the regional development agencies. A national program driven by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism and TGA in collaboration with GSTC, where GSTC Certification* became mandatory for all hotels across Türkiye by 2030, impacting approximately 22.000 accommodations nationwide, regardless of size.
Participants engaged in a four-day agenda featuring sessions such as “The Role of Sustainability in Regional Tourism Development”, « The Current Situation in Türkiye, » « The Development of Sustainable Tourism in Türkiye, » among other topics, along with interactive workshops. The program provided a platform for exchanging ideas on how to support tourism businesses in adopting sustainable practices and meeting certification requirements.
Dr. Mihee Kang, GSTC’s Chief Assurance Officer, attended the event and delivered the session titled “Overview and Development of Sustainable Tourism” on September 15th. The next day, Dr. Kang led the ‘Workshop: Self-assessment Based on GSTC Standards,’ and on the 18th, the last day of the workshop, she delved into ‘Sustainable Tourism Policies.’
“Turkey’s approach to sustainable tourism, characterized by strong collaboration among government bodies, regional agencies, and businesses, demonstrates how collective action can lead to measurable outcomes. This model offers valuable insights that other destinations can adapt to their own contexts. It was truly rewarding to see the participants discuss concrete strategies to help local businesses become more sustainable,” said Dr. Kang.
Ümit Gülyağı, Secretary General of GEKA, said: “In the Southern Aegean, where natural beauty and cultural heritage are deeply intertwined, sustainable tourism is not just a priority but a necessity. By aligning our regional efforts with global standards, we aim to ensure that tourism continues to create value for our communities while safeguarding our environment for future generations.”
Evin Emir, Specialist from DOĞAKA, said: “The sustainable tourism certification process is a meaningful step forward—not just for improving service quality, but for protecting the natural, cultural, and social treasures that make Türkiye so unique. Yet we know that many regional agencies and hotel operators are still navigating this new terrain and for this reason need to establish a shared foundation for collaboration. That’s exactly why we’re here: to bridge that gap together.”
As part of the program, participants took part in field visits to certified hotels and cultural heritage sites, including the Ancient City of Laodicea, Hierapolis, and the historical town of Buldan in Denizli Province, to observe sustainable tourism practices and share best practices. Additionally, they discussed the possibility of follow-up meetings and training sessions to advance their collective efforts in fostering sustainable tourism in their regions.
*The term “GSTC Certification” is a shorthand for “Certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-accredited.”
