Green Getaways: What Turkey Teaches the World About Sustainable Travel

Turkey's sustainable model of tourism has some valuable lessons in reconciling preservation of cultural heritage and well-being of community, says an editorial in Hindustan Times of March 27, 2025. With the strong institutional framework of the Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Law, Turkey st...

Turkey's sustainable model of tourism has some valuable lessons in reconciling preservation of cultural heritage and well-being of community, says an editorial in Hindustan Times of March 27, 2025. With the strong institutional framework of the Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Law, Turkey strikes a balance between preservation of its archaeological sites and monuments and growth of tourism. Programs such as the "Golden Age of Turkish Archaeology" have been utilized to direct resources to restoration and excavation, with ongoing programs set to reach 800 sites by 2026. Turkey's approach includes integrating local governments in tourism planning, emphasizing economic and social sustainability over mere visitor levels. The comprehensive approach ensures that tourism growth is attuned to community needs, resulting in long-term benefits. India can draw lessons from the Turkish experience to further institutionalize cultural diplomacy and popularize its own model of sustainable tourism. Source: Hindustan Times