Ecotourism

In 2023, more than 32 million tourists visited Greece, a number that was 17.6% higher compared to 2022. Overtourism is already a reality on many Greek islands, and appears to be largely responsible for making existing water scarcity more severe.

In a bid to promote tourism in the region, efforts will be made to bring public attention on a global scale to the Central Anatolian province of Sivas' Diş Cliffs, commonly referred to as the "natural Great Wall of China."

Diş Cliffs are an important geological landform that has not been discovered by many, Sivas Governor Yılmaz Şimşek told local media during a visit to the region.

Doug Lansky, a specialist in sustainable tourism, spoke on the global state of the sector as part of the "Reimagine Tourism in Greece" summit held by Kathimerini. Among the topics he covered were air travel, single-use plastics, eco-tourism and water management.

The northwestern province of Bilecik's Kurşunlu village welcomes 500 tourists a month, thanks to ecotourism that started in 2012 under the leadership of Bedriye Berber Engin, who was awarded the title of "extraordinary reader" by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

Following Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu's statements on Amanos Mountains in Türkiye's south that it has been cleared of terrorists, the region is expected to be opened to ecotourism, according to the Regional Directorate of Forestry.

The Amanos Mountains, in which the security forces have actively struggled against the PKK since 1992, has been completely cleared of the terrorism.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry is working to detect the effects of climate change on the tourism sector and take measures in this regard, Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has said.

Postojna – Climate expert Lučka Kajfež Bogataj called for truly green tourism at a round table debate held as part of Days of Slovenian Tourism in Postojna on Wednesday. “If we are selling green, let’s become truly green,” she said, pointing to criteria such as energy use per tourist night, water consumption and the amount of food waste.

Booking rates for tourist accommodation establishments in the Danube Delta for the Easter mini-holiday is up to 95%, but some economic agents, especially those whose incomes depended on foreign tourism, claim that, although theoretically they are 100% booked, they practically cannot carry out their activity.

The bird sanctuary of Kuyucuk in the northeastern province of Kars has recently become home to many pelicans during the migration season. (DHA Photo)

The Çamlıkoy Nature Park, which houses different shades of green, a clean sea, and camping and recreation areas, has become the preferred hotspot for local tourists during the pandemic with its proximity to Istanbul and its unique nature.