FUTURE IS IN TOURISM
Within the scope of Türkiye’s first sustainable tourism program, Gelecek Turizmde (Future is in Tourism), we have been contributing to local
development, women’s empowerment and creating new employment opportunities at the local level for 15 years.
With the program we started in 2007, we aimed to expand the tourism understanding of sea-sand-sun towards experience tourism in our country and to create a local development model that will cover 12 months in all four seasons.
2007- 2013
During this period, more than 20 guest houses were established, several non-governmental organizations working on tourism were founded, cycling and trekking routes were created, local festivals such as bird watching and rafting were organized.
In 2013, the town of Uzundere was designated as a tourism center by a Cabinet decree. This also ensured the sustainability of the tourism model created in the region. Simultaneously, in collaboration with Boğaziçi University Lifelong Learning Center, tourism trainings were delivered across 27 provinces and more than 5,000 people received tourism certificates.
2013-2021
In 2013, we decided to take our five years of regional experience to the national level, and in addition to funding support for three projects each year, we provided implementation support such as training, planning, technical support, communication and consultancy.
2022
On the 15th year of the program, we are turning our sights to Muğla, where tourism is one of the main livelihoods and which suffered from the catastrophic forest fires in last years. Through our works in Köyceğiz and Akyaka, we aim to support social and economic development, transform these areas into sustainable tourism destinations, and develop diverse types of tourism in the region.
2023-2024
It is aimed to activate sustainable tourism potential of Muğla through the works in 2023-2024. Three new alternative tourism routes will be
developed in Akyaka, Köyceğiz and Taşlıca. The program will also support social and economic rehabilitation efforts in Muğla, which was affected by the fires of July-August 2021, through creation of strong infrastructure for a disaster-resilient sustainable tourism model.
500 people will receive sustainable tourism trainings; grants, mentorship and communication support will be provided to women entrepreneurs who want to take part in the field of sustainable tourism. In addition, initiatives prioritized women cooperatives, including women who migrated to the region after the earthquakes in February 2023 will be also considered. The gender equality action plan of Future is in Tourism will help to develop ideas and implement activities in line with the gender equality perspective.
Future is in Tourism will also focus its work in Muğla on the responsible tourist concept. This will not only facilitate the transition to sustainable tourism for the local people and the industry that generate income from tourism but will also contribute to change in visitors’ preferences and perception. Taking into account the increasing threat of climate-related disasters to tourism, training on combating forest fires and natural disasters was given to tourism enterprises and local people in Akyaka and Köyceğiz. In addition, 3-ton water tanks were installed in Köyceğiz Sultaniye and Akyaka Forest Camp, designated with public institutions in the region as high-risk locations, to support rapid respond to forest fires at the designated high-risk locations.
Responsible tourist signs were placed in Akyaka and Taşlıca to encourage visitors to protect social, cultural and natural values and support
sustainable tourism. A Gender Equality Action Plan was prepared to guide the work to be carried out in Muğla.
For more information about Future is in Tourism routes
For more information about Future is in Tourism Gender Equality Report