Turkey is the first nation globally to develop a national-level sustainability certification framework in collaboration with the GSTC. As of September 2025, more than 2,000 hotels have completed the program’s Third Stage, marking a 37% increase in certifications compared to the same period in 2024.
Certification progress by region
The initiative has seen particularly strong adoption in several provinces. Antalya, Kırşehir, and Kilis have surpassed a 50% certification rate based on room and bed capacity. They are followed by İstanbul, Konya, Şırnak, Gaziantep, Kayseri, and Aydın, each exceeding 30% certification coverage.
The program targets full compliance across the country by 2030, with hotels expected to complete all three certification stages under GSTC-aligned criteria.
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the Republic of Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, emphasized the progress in the sector: “This achievement underscores our leadership in sustainable tourism. Our vision extends beyond achieving full compliance with global standards by 2030, with our ultimate goal being to situate Turkey as a global authority that actively shapes the future of sustainable tourism. Our tourism industry is showing a growing awareness and greater responsibility towards sustainability each day. The growing number of facilities obtaining Third Stage GSTC Certification, along with over 19,000 facilities that have already been verified and certified, clearly demonstrates our industry’s commitment to this transformation. Turkey is now also extending these certification efforts to the gastronomy sector as well. With this new program in the food and beverage industry, Turkey will once again set a global precedent, just as it did in the hospitality sector.”
Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) CEO Randy Durband shared his assessment regarding Turkey’s achievements in sustainable tourism: “We congratulate Turkey for surpassing 2,000 GSTC-certified hotels, a remarkable achievement that demonstrates strong leadership in sustainable tourism. Turkey’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. We hope it inspires destinations worldwide to follow this remarkable path.”
The GSTC acknowledged the program’s comprehensive approach, which includes all types and sizes of accommodations across the country. Its rigorous structure and rapid scale-up serve as a potential blueprint for other countries aiming to institutionalise sustainability in tourism.
Looking ahead
As Turkey works towards universal certification by 2030, attention is also shifting to integrating sustainability standards across tourism-adjacent sectors. The extension of certification programs to gastronomy marks the next phase of national transformation, with the potential to reinforce Turkey’s position as a global model for sustainable tourism governance.
Tags: Turkey, Randy Durband, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
