Kapadokya University, which aims to contribute to Turkey’s sustainable tourism policies and practices with the projects it carries out, became a corporate member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in 2021, thus becoming a part of global efforts for sustainable tourism. GSTC sets global standards for sustainable travel and tourism. In line with the studies and recommendations of the university’s Social and Strategic Research Center’s Sustainable Tourism Research Group, Kapadokya University contributes to the development of the Turkey Sustainable Tourism Program, which has been implemented nationwide since 2022 in collaboration with GSTC, TGA, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

With the contributions of the Kapadokya University Social and Strategic Studies Application and Research Center, the sustainable tourism approach is among the key policies in Turkey’s 2023 Tourism Master Plan, which was updated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2019. Sustainable tourism policies and practices, which are key to increasing the international competitiveness of Turkey’s tourism, are also expected to guide the tourism sector in the recovery process following the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Tourism, which develops based on natural and cultural resource assets, is one of the sectors most affected by sustainability policies. The obligation to think about future generations, the increasing societal awareness of sustainability, the growing sensitivity of visitors regarding sustainability, and international agreements that countries are parties to regarding the sustainability of the natural and cultural environment make it imperative to give special importance to sustainability in tourism policies.

In this context, Kapadokya University has become the first educational institution in Turkey to be a corporate member of GSTC, contributing to the development of Turkey’s sustainable tourism standards, expanding the scope of sustainable tourism policies, spreading sustainable tourism practices in the tourism sector, and leading scientific research and activities related to sustainable tourism both nationwide and at the destination level.

For details on the “Global Sustainable Tourism Council Certified Trainings” and “Sustainable Tourism Trainings for Professionals,” you can visit the KÜN Continuing Education Center pages.