Project Start & End Date:

02.09.2024 to 04.08.2025

Project Summary:

The primary aim of this study is to examine the attitudes of hotels in Türkiye toward the sustainable tourism certification process, their motivations for participation, the challenges they encounter, the perceived benefits, and the types of support they require. In line with the growing awareness of environmental and corporate responsibility under the Sustainable Development Goals, the study focuses on how hotels approach sustainability practices and what kinds of experiences they have throughout this process. Within this scope, the research explores in detail how hotels have adapted to the newly implemented mandatory sustainable tourism program in Türkiye.

A mixed-methods approach was adopted in the study, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Quantitative data were obtained through a structured online survey administered to hotels reached via the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA). A total of 902 valid responses were collected. The survey included closed-ended questions measuring hotels' reasons for participating in the certification process, the challenges faced, perceived benefits, stakeholder satisfaction, and support needs. In addition, open-ended questions were included to gather qualitative data, which were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Through this comprehensive approach, the study aims to reveal both the general trends and in-depth perspectives of hotels regarding sustainable tourism certification in Türkiye.

Project Administration:

Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Duygu Salman Öztürk

duygu.salman@bogazici.edu.tr

Merkez Müdürü

Project Team:

Doç. Dr. Halil Burak Sakal

Kapadokya Üniversitesi

Prof. Dr. Maria D. Alvarez

Boğaziçi Üniversitesi

Prof. Dr. Bengi Ertuna

Boğaziçi Üniversitesi

Supporting Institution & Organizations:

• Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
• Türkiye Turizm Tanıtım ve Geliştirme Ajansı (TGA)
• Kapadokya Üniversitesi