🇹🇷 What is Türkiye’s Sustainable Tourism Programme

Programme Name:

Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Programme (often referred to as the Environmental and Cultural Sustainability Programme) is Türkiye’s national sustainable tourism initiative, developed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), in cooperation with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

🔗 Official Programme Website

📅 When and Why Was It Introduced?

The programme was launched in 2022 as a national initiative to promote the sustainable development of tourism.

Its purpose is to ensure the sustainable growth of the tourism sector, protect ecosystems and cultural heritage, minimise pollution, and support the social and economic sustainability of local communities.

The programme was developed in cooperation with GSTC, the international organisation responsible for establishing global standards for sustainable tourism, and is designed to align with these standards.

This is not simply an "eco-label", but a comprehensive set of criteria and commitments that tourism businesses must meet in order to be recognised as sustainable.

The official national TR-I standard, mandatory for hotels and other tourism establishments, includes:

• 4 main themes

• 42 criteria

• 167 indicators

🏨 How Many Hotels Participate?

As of September 2025, Türkiye had reached the milestone of 2,000 GSTC-certified hotels under this national programme.

By 2030, certification is expected to become mandatory for all hotels in Türkiye — more than approximately 22,000 accommodation establishments, regardless of size.

Lims Bona Dea Beach Hotel is a participant in the programme.

Our hotel received its certification in October 2025.

Not because we were required to. But because we believe it is:

• An investment in the future of the region

• A way to preserve the quality of our services

• A contribution to protecting Türkiye’s reputation as a tourism destination

Simply put, sustainable tourism is not a trend — it is a long-term strategy for the future of the industry.

In practice, nothing complicated.

You can enjoy your holiday just as comfortably as before.

The difference is that:

• Resources are used more responsibly

• The local environment is better protected

• The atmosphere remains authentic, welcoming and alive

Your holiday does not become any less enjoyable — it becomes more conscious and sustainable for the future.

We participate in Türkiye’s Sustainable Tourism Programme because we believe that caring for our guests and caring for the environment are not opposing goals.

They are simply two sides of a truly good holiday.

Many people notice the same thing: by the sea, breathing becomes easier, thoughts slow down, anxiety decreases, and sleep improves. This is often explained in poetic terms — the “energy of the water”, the power of nature, or simply the magic of the sea.

Yet even without the poetry, the reality is no less remarkable.

The sea influences the nervous system through a number of measurable physiological mechanisms that affect both the body and the mind.

Many people notice the same thing: by the sea, breathing becomes easier, thoughts slow down, anxiety fades, and sleep improves. This is often explained in poetic terms — the “energy of the water” or the magic of nature. Yet the truth is no less fascinating.

The sea affects the nervous system through a number of measurable physiological mechanisms.

The human brain operates through different patterns of electrical activity, known as brain waves. When we are stressed or anxious, faster beta waves tend to dominate, keeping the mind alert and the body tense.

🌊 The sound of waves creates a slow, predictable rhythm that encourages the brain to shift towards an alpha state — the pattern associated with relaxation, reduced anxiety, improved focus and a greater sense of presence.

Studies using EEG monitoring have shown that spending as little as 10–15 minutes near water can increase alpha-wave activity. This phenomenon is known as neural synchronisation — the brain naturally begins to align itself with the external rhythm.

In urban environments, our eyes are constantly processing information:

• Sharp lines and angles

• Traffic and movement

• Signs and advertisements

• Closely packed buildings

This continuous visual stimulation increases cognitive load and can contribute to background stress.

By contrast, the sea offers something very different.

👁 An open horizon and soft, flowing shapes reduce the demands placed on the visual system and may decrease activity in the brain’s fear and stress centres.

Research in environmental psychology suggests that viewing natural landscapes can reduce stress levels by 20–30% compared with urban settings. The sea horizon appears particularly effective because it contains very little visual clutter.

Simply put: when the eyes can relax, the brain often follows.

Sea air differs significantly from the air found in most cities.

One reason is its higher concentration of negative air ions, which can be many times greater near the coast than indoors or in urban areas.

These ions have been associated with:

• Lower cortisol levels

• Improved mood

• Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression

• Better sleep quality

• Increased serotonin activity

This is not alternative medicine or folklore — negative ion concentrations can be measured and studied scientifically.

Many people naturally begin to breathe more slowly and deeply when sitting by the sea.

This matters because slower breathing activates the vagus nerve, one of the key components of the parasympathetic nervous system — the system responsible for rest, recovery and restoration.

📉 Activation of the vagus nerve can lead to:

• A slower heart rate

• Lower blood pressure

• Reduced stress responses

• A shift away from “fight or flight” mode

Research suggests that slowing breathing to around six to eight breaths per minute can significantly reduce anxiety levels.

The sea often encourages this process naturally, without conscious effort.

Psychologists use the term soft fascination to describe experiences that gently hold our attention without demanding anything from us.

The sea moves continuously and changes constantly, yet it does not require action or decision-making.

Unlike:

• Social media

• News feeds

• Screens

• Constant conversation

the sea allows the brain to rest while remaining engaged.

In this state:

• Mental fatigue decreases

• Creative thinking improves

• Emotional regulation becomes easier

• The brain enters a restorative mode

This may explain why problems often seem clearer and solutions appear more naturally after time spent by the water.

Studies suggest that so-called blue spaces — seas, oceans and large bodies of water — can have an even stronger calming effect than green spaces such as parks and forests.

Research indicates that time spent near water may:

• Reduce psychological stress by 30–50%

• Improve attention restoration

• Enhance mood

• Extend the feeling of calm long after leaving the shoreline

The sea does not calm us because it is magical.

It calms us because it:

• Helps synchronise brain rhythms

• Reduces sensory overload

• Influences stress hormones

• Activates the body’s recovery systems

• Encourages a more natural physiological rhythm

This is not mysticism. It is biology, neuroscience and environmental psychology working together.

Modern life is filled with constant noise, endless stimulation and continuous demands on our attention.

The sea remains one of the few places where the nervous system no longer feels the need to stay on guard.

And that is why the sense of calm it provides can feel so profound.

When we hear the phrase All Inclusive, we immediately think of buffet restaurants, wristbands and endless cocktails by the pool. But have you ever wondered where this concept came from and who invented it?

🇯🇲 It Didn't Start in Türkiye!

The first version of the All-Inclusive model appeared in Jamaica in the 1950s. It was there that entrepreneur Harry Gerald Hensley opened the Mony Pelican Hotel and introduced a simple idea: guests would pay once and forget about money for the rest of their holiday.

The goal was straightforward — to make holidays as relaxing as possible and free travellers from worrying about their spending.

🇹🇷 Türkiye Made It Famous

The real All-Inclusive boom began in Türkiye during the 1990s. Following the economic crisis of 1994, tour operators and hoteliers were looking for new ways to attract visitors.

One of them, Ercan Sarıoğlu, a hotel owner in Antalya, was among the first to introduce the All-Inclusive concept in the region as a competitive advantage. The result was extraordinary. European tourists loved the idea: sunshine, beautiful surroundings and no unexpected expenses.

Because hospitality is deeply rooted in Turkish culture.

The concept fitted naturally with the local tradition of generosity, abundance and making guests feel welcome. Over time, the Turkish version of All Inclusive evolved into something unique — combining extensive buffets, entertainment programmes, children's clubs, evening shows and a wide range of services designed to make holidays effortless.

Today, All Inclusive is more than just a pricing model — it is a philosophy of relaxation.

It allows guests to switch off from everyday routines, enjoy the moment and focus on making memories rather than keeping track of expenses.

Behind this concept lies a story of entrepreneurship, creativity and a simple desire to give people the freedom to enjoy their holiday without worries.

✨ Lims Bona Dea Beach Hotel also operates on an All-Inclusive basis.

👉 To learn more about how our All-Inclusive concept works, please click here.

As we approached the hotel's 20th anniversary, we chose to use the winter season not for cosmetic improvements, but for changes that truly matter.

This winter, the hotel underwent a comprehensive upgrade of its fire safety systems, in line with current regulations and the growing emphasis on safety standards within Türkiye’s hospitality sector.

New fire-resistant doors were installed in every guest room. These doors play a vital role in safety, as they are designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke, providing valuable additional time for evacuation. Under Turkish regulations, hotel room doors opening onto corridors must have a fire-resistance rating of at least 30 minutes and be fitted with self-closing mechanisms.

Another important improvement was the construction of an additional fire escape staircase. For us, it was essential not only to enhance safety, but also to do so thoughtfully. The new staircase has been carefully integrated into the hotel’s architecture and blends naturally with the building’s overall appearance.

In addition, we equipped guest rooms and public areas with an automatic fire suppression system. In the event of dangerously high temperatures, the system activates automatically, helping to contain a fire at an early stage. Turkish regulations specifically govern the use of automatic fire detection and suppression systems in accommodation facilities, as well as their design and installation in accordance with current standards.

Why are we sharing these details?

Because safety is not simply a line in a list of hotel amenities. These are the features guests may never notice at first glance, yet they are the ones that matter most in a critical situation. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we believe a hotel should not only look beautiful but also be genuinely reliable.

Today, fire safety requirements for accommodation facilities in Türkiye are subject to stricter oversight than ever before. Fire safety certification (itfaiye raporu) is mandatory for such properties, and failure to comply may result in suspension of operations or closure.

For us, this is not about meeting a requirement on paper. It is simply part of how we operate: investing in improvements not only where they can be seen in photographs, but also where they genuinely help protect our guests and staff.