Türkiye signed a collaboration agreement with the world’s top environment and sustainability platform Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). With the agreement, Türkiye and GSTC will introduce for the first time a National Sustainable Tourism Scheme an official GSTC status. Thanks to the new program, the Turkish tourism industry will accelerate its global sustainability practices.

The signing of the agreement marks an exemplary step toward sustainability as Türkiye becomes the first government in the world to sign an agreement to develop a national program with GSTC. All destinations in Türkiye as well as tourism services, including accommodation facilities, will gradually receive sustainability certification within the scope of a National Sustainability Tourism Scheme, the first of its kind worldwide, which will be developed via the cooperation of Türkiye and GSTC.  Turkish tourism industry will be restructured with the 3-year agreement signed with GSTC, which sets the best and most widespread standards in sustainable tourism.

For more than two decades, business events tourism and the MICE industry have taken a leading role in sustainable approaches across the world. Management models are continuously developed for green meetings, congresses and sustainable events, and these criteria play a key role in the selection of destinations.

As a country that has taken an active and effective role in hosting green and sustainable meetings, Türkiye is an exceptionally attractive destination, with numerous “green meeting” projects developed by congresses, meeting venues, hotels, PCOs and DMCs.

These facilities and services will directly affect the travel, tourism and organization services provided for international meetings, congresses and all other events held within the scope of business tourism and the MICE industry, with events hosted by green/sustainable certified facilities and service providers implemented as green meetings.

With the implementation of the certification program within the framework of the agreement, Türkiye will also take the lead in the green meetings movement in business tourism and events.

The first stage of the program, planned to be wholly concluded by 2030, will become operational in 2023; and the second stage will be carried out gradually in 2025. In 2030, all international standards will be met.

Bringing Türkiye to the fore in sustainable tourism, the agreement will also reach the goals of The Paris Agreement, signed by Türkiye at the end of last year. As of 2022, Türkiye launched a transformation towards sustainability in the tourism industry and the collaboration with GSTC will highlight the country as a strong competitor in the international arena, as well as help Türkiye catch up with international tourism trends.