Türkiye tackles overtourism challenges through sustainable initiatives

Huseyin Baraner, the Secretary General of the Twin Cities World Tourism Association, stated that the world is grappling with the issue of overtourism, and Türkiye has the potential to turn this challenge into an opportunity through sustainable tourism policies.

The excessive influx of tourists to popular destinations has led to a decline in residents’ quality of life, damage to natural and cultural sites, environmental pollution and uneven development of local economies.

Cities like Venice in Italy, Barcelona in Spain, and Amsterdam in the Netherlands are tackling overtourism by implementing various measures, including tourist taxes, capacity limits and the promotion of lesser-known destinations.

In contrast, Türkiye is setting itself apart with its commitment to sustainable tourism.

In 2022, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism launched a Sustainable Tourism Program aimed at preserving the country’s natural and cultural heritage, strengthening local economies, and developing policies to protect cultural values for future generations.

Baraner emphasized that Türkiye can stand out in destinations affected by overtourism through its sustainable tourism initiatives. He noted that the country can provide unique experiences in history, nature, culture, and gastronomy for tourists seeking to avoid overcrowded areas, utilizing sustainable tourism strategies to differentiate itself.

Baraner also highlighted the importance of creating environmentally friendly projects in tourism destinations, developing infrastructure for nature and outdoor sports and opening villages to tourism while preserving their architecture, gastronomy and lifestyle.

He stated that spreading tourism throughout the year could enhance tourism revenues.

Growing by shrinking

Baraner emphasized the concept of “growing by shrinking” in the tourism sector, explaining that we should aim to increase revenue with fewer rooms and lower expenses while maximizing profits.

He pointed out that a 20-room hotel in Switzerland or Austria can generate more profit than a 250-room hotel in Kusadasi, Türkiye.

He stressed the need to find ways to achieve similar profits with just 20 rooms and to focus on reducing our physical size while increasing net profitability and growth.