Lessons from Turkey on sustainable tourism

With its mythology inspiring every field of art from the past to the present, and its Aegean, Black Sea, and countless other regions contributing to its rich cultural fabric, Turkey offers an extraordinary experience.

- Firat Sunel

To be worthy of this heritage, certain fundamental pillars must always be in place.

In Turkey, the institutionalisation and regulation of cultural heritage preservation play a vital role in sustainable tourism growth. Laws such as the Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Law have ensured that heritage sites and archaeological remains are carefully preserved for future generations. This ensures that tourism development does not compromise the integrity of historical landmarks. Through well-structured institutions, Turkey has been able to balance modernisation with preservation, allowing cultural tourism to thrive alongside urban development.

Another important step to illustrate the importance of institutional capacity, the "Golden Age of Turkish Archaeology - Heritage for the Future" project, began in 2023. Resources have been mobilised to ensure that in the next four years, Turkey's cultural heritage, particularly its ancient sites, will be excavated, restored and preserved. The number of excavations and projects in Turkey increased from 670 to 720 in the last couple of years. They are set to reach 750 in 2024, with a goal of 800 excavations and projects by 2026.