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The increasing world population and changing consumption habits bring important environmental problems. The unconscious use of resources and the failure to adopt sustainable practices can create negative environmental effects in the tourism sector, as in all sectors. In the tourism sector, which has serious economic repercussions for countries, it is of critical importance for our planet that companies take constructive steps in terms of sustainability. So, is sustainable tourism possible? Let's have a look at the answer to this question together.

What is Sustainability?

The concept of sustainability means avoiding taking steps that will endanger the planet while meeting individual, social, or sectoral needs. It emphasizes that it is a necessity to act without unconsciously consuming resources, without disrupting the natural balance and by protecting social and economic systems. The aim of sustainable tourism is to use environmental, social and economic resources efficiently and fairly so that both present and future generations can live a quality life. This concept is an important starting point for solving serious problems such as climate change, depletion of natural resources and social injustice.

What is Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable tourism is based on the principle of evaluating the economic, environmental and social dimensions of the activities that are carried out. It is a tourism approach that aims to protect natural and local resources and to ensure that future generations can benefit from these resources. This approach aims to meet both the needs of tourists and to minimize the possible environmental threats to the tourism industry. Elements such as the economic use of natural resources, contribution to economic growth and ensuring social participation are among the goals of sustainable tourism.

Basic Principles and Objectives of Sustainable Tourism

Although the tourism industry has an important place in the world economy, it has direct effects on the environment, culture and society. Unfortunately, not all of these effects are positive. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has developed environmentally sensitive development methods and determined various principles in this field in order to promote sustainable tourism. These principles are as follows:

• Protecting Biodiversity: Protecting natural resources, sustaining the ecosystem and reducing environmental pollution are among the basic principles in the tourism sector, which has serious environmental impacts.
• Protecting Cultural and Historical Heritage: Reducing the negative effects of tourism on the historical and cultural heritage of societies.
• Supporting Economic Development: Sustainable tourism offers a fair growth opportunity to all businesses. Support for local and small businesses is among the basic principles of fair economic distribution.
• Hospitality and Local Participation: Active participation of local people in tourism activities should be ensured and all decisions should be made in cooperation. Instead of using imported products, local production materials should be used, thus reducing carbon emissions caused by logistics.
• Fighting Against Climate Change: Renewable energy sources should be given more place in tourism activities and the carbon footprint should be reduced.
• Tourism Planning and Management: Tourism activities should be planned and managed in accordance with environmentally friendly policies and sustainable development strategies.
• Education and Awareness Raising: Education should be organized to raise awareness of environmental sustainability among both locals and tourists.

Encouraging the use of recycled products whenever possible, providing equal social conditions for all employees and working with local companies instead of multinational companies are also among the principles and goals of sustainable tourism.

The Sustainability Policy of Elite World Hotels & Resorts

Elite World Hotels & Resorts has a sustainability certificate prepared under the leadership of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA). Acting with environmental responsibility, Elite World Hotels & Resorts follows policies that are aimed at both protecting natural resources and supporting social and economic sustainability.

Elite World Hotels & Resorts sees sustainability not only as a responsibility but also as a way to offer its guests a more meaningful and valuable accommodation experience. With these important policies, Elite World Hotels & Resorts aims to shape the sustainable tourism of the future while contributing to the development of environmentally sensitive tourism. You can also get comprehensive information about the sustainability policies of Elite World Hotels & Resorts.

You can contact Elite World Hotels & Resorts, which contributes to our nature and the future of our environment with its sustainability policies, to make a reservation at the hotels in the location that you desire right away.