Future is in Tourism

Sustainable tourism has a critical role in terms of to support job creation, promote inclusive social integration, protect natural and cultural heritage, conserve biodiversity, generate sustainable livelihoods and improve human wellbeing. In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development SDG target 8.9, aims to “by 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”. The importance of sustainable tourism is also highlighted in SDG target 12.b. which aims to “develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”. Future is in Tourism has become a well-known brand on sustainable tourism both in Turkey and abroad. Future is in Tourism conducts its activities through a gender responsive grant scheme and training programmes, with a view to develop best practice examples and contribute to knowledge sharing and job creation especially for local women. The project targets rural communities and especially women since women living in rural areas are generally working as domestic laborers. In all implementations under the project, raising awareness on sustainable tourism development has been ensured in order to conserve the natural and cultural heritage including the intangible cultural heritage that the tourism sector depends on. Moreover, the project creates awareness on people about the balance between conservation and usage of the natural resources to prevent negative impacts on tourism. The crucial results of the project are listed below.  18 community based sustainable tourism destination was supported and the capacity of local people was increased through awareness raising activities, trainings, seminars and experience sharing visits.  21 NGOs, 8 university, 47 local authorities were supported through grant projects. 304 women employed through grant projects. 529 institutions benefitted from capacity building trainings (132 NGOs, 286 public institutions, 61 private institutions, 53 universities). 2114 people benefitted from capacity building trainings where 1104 were women.  Women NGOs were supported to raise awareness on sustainable tourism and increase opportunities for employment and decent work.  Women’s entrepreneurship was supported to include women into tourism value chain.  Capacity building and awareness raising activities developed for local authorities and local NGOs in the field of sustainable tourism were carried out.  Traditional buildings were restored to be used as tourism facilities.  The best examples of local traditional architectural heritage were restored to conserve and sustain its usage with a new function.  The natural and cultural heritage has been promoted by supporting local socio-economic development of the region.  Awareness raising has been created on the value of the natural and cultural heritage  Usage of renewable resources was encouraged by the projects.  Women were encouraged to work collectively so that they will feel empowered both economically and socially.  Livelihoods and employability opportunities were improved focusing on women, rural and the urban poor and young women in tourism sector and/or other related sectors.  An academic paper was prepared on small-sized tourism projects in rural areas: the compounding effects on societal wellbeing and published at Journal of Sustainable Tourism.