🇹🇷 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.
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.
Why Our Hotel Joined the Sustainable Tourism Programme
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.
What Does This Mean for You as a Guest?
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.
Our Choice
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.
