Turkiye’s cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and coastal attractions draw millions of international visitors to the country every year. As a result, tourism remains one of Turkiye’s most vital economic sectors, generating employment and supporting local enterprises. In line with national strategies, the sector is now prioritizing sustainability through a mandatory certification system designed to ensure quality while protecting cultural, social, and environmental values. To strengthen local capacity, 20 representatives from nine development agencies joined the training course titled Sustainable Tourism Implementations in Turkiye from 15 to 18 September 2025 in Denizli, Turkiye, as part of the APO Technical Expert Services Program. Hosted by the Southern Aegean Development Agency and the Eastern Mediterranean Development Agency, the training featured sessions on certification standards, regional roadmaps, and field visits to two GSTC-certified hotels (Hierapark Thermal & Spa Hotel Deluxe and Inci Class Hotel).

Training was delivered by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Chief Assurance Officer from the Republic of Korea alongside five local experts from the Turkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), GSTC-certified hotels, and the implementing organizations. As a follow-up to previous APO initiatives, this training enhanced the technical capacity of participants and equipped them to design outreach plans: within six months, each agency will guide at least 35 hotels or establishments in their regions toward certification, marking a significant step in Turkiye’s sustainable tourism journey.