by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 8:00 AM ET, Tue September 30, 2025
According to Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Türkiye now has more than 2,000 hotels certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), representing about 80% of all such certifications worldwide.
Türkiye signed a cooperation agreement with the GSTC in 2022, becoming the first country to develop a government-level sustainable tourism program with the council.
The focus on sustainable tourism reflects growing global demand from travellers seeking environmentally responsible options.
According to a press release, as of September 1, 2025, 2,005 facilities had achieved GSTC certification, up from 1,466 at the end of 2024 — a 37% increase in nine months.
RELATED: Adventure Travel Trade Association Releases First-Ever Sustainability Report
Antalya, Kırşehir, and Kilis have surpassed 50% certification based on room and bed capacity, while İstanbul, Konya, Şırnak, Gaziantep, Kayseri, and Aydın have exceeded 30%.
According to the GSTC, certifications provide assurance that accommodations are meeting internationally recognized standards in areas such as resource efficiency, community engagement, and environmental protection. Industry analysts note that sustainability has become a key factor influencing travel decisions, with many destinations under pressure to balance economic growth with reducing the environmental impact of tourism.
RELATED: Mexico is Strengthening Magical Towns With Sustainable Tourism Plan
“The achievement of surpassing 2,000 GSTC-Certified hotels underscores our leadership in sustainable tourism. Our vision extends beyond achieving full compliance with global standards by 2030, and our ultimate goal is to position Türkiye as a global leader that actively shapes the future of sustainable tourism,” Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, said.
He added that more than 19,000 facilities have already been verified and certified at various stages, and that certification efforts are now extending into the gastronomy sector.
GSTC CEO Randy Durband said the scale of Türkiye’s program stands out internationally.
RELATED: CEO of Hawaii Visitors Bureau Pushes for Truly Sustainable Tourism, Avoiding Greenwashing
“Türkiye’s National Sustainable Tourism Program is setting a global example of how governments and the private sector can work together to raise the bar in sustainability with a very rigorous program that engages all sizes and types of accommodations,” Durband said.
The certification process is part of Türkiye’s National Sustainable Tourism Program, which requires accommodations to complete a three-stage process based on GSTC standards.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism said the program will become mandatory for all facilities by 2030.
RELATED: What the Experts Say About Sustainable Tourism Strategies
Türkiye has also presented the program internationally, including at the GSTC Global Sustainable Tourism Conference in Antalya in 2023, as well as at events in Sweden, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, the U.S., the U.K., the Netherlands, and Azerbaijan.
Topics From This Article to Explore
