HOW TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN TURKEY?

Over time, an ever increasing number of destinations have opened up and invested in tourism development, turning modern tourism into a key driver of socio-economic progress through export revenues, creation of jobs and enterprises, and infrastructure development. For many developing countries it is one of the main sources of foreign exchange income and the number one export category, creating much needed employment and opportunities for development. Sustainable tourism has identified how the tourism industry can contribute to overall sustainable development and continue to provide high quality, low impact experiences. Sustainable tourism is built on four pillars of tourism: economic sustainability, ecological sustainability, cultural sustainability and local sustainability. All four of these elements must be addressed if we are to achieve sustainable tourism. This article illustrates a comprehensive analysis of tourism sustainability that can be implemented within the context of broader regional or community development goals. This model focuses on the relationship between the visitor industry and community quality of life as influenced by impacts on economic, socio-cultural, and environmental outcomes. This model stresses the importance and interdependence of economic, environmental, and social performance goals. With this aim, this article discusses the problems of Turkish tourism sector, approaches to sustainable tourism, and methods to make them compatible in the near future.