MINISTER ERSOY ATTENDED GSTC 2023 GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CONFERENCE
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy attended the "GSTC 2023 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference" at Antalya Kundu Tourism Center.

Minister Ersoy stated that this event organized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in different countries every year was held for the first time in Türkiye and expressed his gratitude that it was taking place in Antalya.
In his speech at the opening of the conference, Minister Ersoy said "n the first phase, accommodation facilities will comply with 30% of the set standards and 70% in the second phase. There will be 100% compliance in the third phase, and all facilities will be Sustainable Tourism certified by 2030."
In his speech, Ersoy highlighted the importance of sustainability in the tourism industry, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that Türkiye was one of the countries least affected by the pandemic, thanks to its rapid implementation of the Safe Tourism Certificate Program.
Highlighting that they are determined to transform the tourism sector into a more resilient and inclusive structure with the responsible and sustainable policies they have implemented after the pandemic, Ersoy said, "Our country was the first to forge an agreement with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council in the presence of the government. The National Sustainable Tourism Program was also prepared on this occasion. In this respect, our work is an exemplary step towards sustainability on a global scale. Other countries have followed our lead." he said.
"The total number of certificates reached 1,Ersoy said that the program, which was created to develop a common understanding of Turkish tourism, primarily includes accommodation facilities, and explained that the program will be carried out in three phases.
584."
Stating that the program will be completed by 2030, Ersoy said:
"The first phase will take place in 2023, the second phase in 2025 and the final phase in 2030. This process will aim to meet all international standards. In the first phase, accommodation facilities will comply with 30% of the set standards and 70% in the second phase. There will be 100% compliance in the third phase, and all facilities will be Sustainable Tourism certified by 2030. As of April 25, 2023, by meeting the required criteria, 1,382 enterprises received the 1. Level Certificate. The number of enterprises that have received 3. Level Certification is 202, and the total number of certificates reached 1,584.
"Our actions towards sustainable tourism are not limited to our accommodation facilities. For example, Türkiye maintained its rank in 2022 as one of the top three countries worldwide regarding Blue Flag beaches – 531 in total." he said.
He noted that Antalya, where we are now, has more Blue Flag beaches than any other city. Türkiye, among the top three countries that have registered the most elements in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, has entered the list with 25 values to date.
Ersoy also mentioned the importance of the Adana Archeology Museum and said that Türkiye currently has 19 heritage sites registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
"We attract tourists worldwide to our country"
Ersoy said Türkiye also offers a comfortable experience for cyclists who prefer sustainable and responsible travel with its bicycle-friendly accommodation facility certificate.
Stating that there are 42 facilities in Türkiye that meet the criteria for the bicycle-friendly accommodation facility certificate, Ersoy continued as follows:
"We want to increase this. Our 42 facilities show that there is a great potential in Türkiye, but there could be more. Because it is one of the most important points of Türkiye's cycling route. Therefore, we need to work on this part as well. We are trying to add Turkish cuisine to the steps we take in sustainability. Today, many chefs are including more plant-based food in their kitchens, and culinary cultures and restaurants that embrace an environmentally sustainable model are being recognized. From this point of view, we are introducing our cuisine and gastronomic richness to the world with its sustainable, healthy and waste-free aspects that already exist in its tradition."
Ersoy noted that they have attracted tourists from all over the world to Turkey through effective advertising and PR efforts, and that they have revised the number of tourists arriving in 2022 and the revenue target three times.
Pointing to the importance of their cooperation with GSTC, Ersoy said, "I believe that this cooperation will further raise the standards of our tourism facilities."