Sustainable Tourism in Green Key Certified Hotels in Turkey: Evaluation of Environmental Practices and Future Perspectives

This study critically evaluates the sustainable tourism practices of hotels participating in the Green Key programme in Turkey. Administered by the Environmental Education Foundation and encompassing 60 countries globally, the Green Key programme aims to promote environmentally friendly practices within the tourism industry. This research assesses the sustainable practices of 148 Turkish hotels participating in the programme in 2023, utilizing web content analysis and descriptive analysis techniques to examine data from hotel websites and related sources. The findings reveal substantial increases in the number of Green Key certified hotels, particularly in 2021 and 2023, with annual growth rates of 22.6% and 27.6%, respectively. Content analysis indicates that energy and food-saving practices, waste management, and staff training on sustainability are the most frequently implemented measures. Correlation analysis demonstrates a strong positive relationship between the numbers of Green Key certified hotels, tourist numbers, and tourism revenues. This underscores the economic advantages of sustainable tourism practices, as destinations with more Green Key certifications tend to attract more tourists and generate greater revenues. The study highlights the programme's efficacy in mitigating environmental impacts and fostering sustainable tourism, thereby enhancing the popularity and operational efficiency of participating hotels. This research underscores the critical importance of sustainable tourism for environmental protection and provides a comprehensive overview of the current status and future prospects of the Green Key programme in Turkey. Limitations and recommendations for future research are also discussed.