Abstract:

Sustainability in tourism, which is one of the leading sectors in world economy, is largely dependent upon protection and development of sources that are used for tourism. Nowadays, Tourism sector has been increasingly sensitive to environment because of increasing environmental concerns in addition to struggles for environmental protection. Since 1980, various international agreements, eco-labels, certification and accreditation programs and guiding principles about sustainable tourism have been developed. Tour operators and tourism agencies have not remained outside this development. This study was designed to contribute to the existing body of knowledge about the sustainability issue regarding tour operators and tourism agencies. For this reason, two analyses that complete each other were conducted: Firstly, eco-label, certification and accreditation programs that are related with environmental sustainability in tourism with respect to tour operators and travel agencies were studied and Turkey was found not to be behind the contemporary standards. Secondly, a questionnaire was applied to 1665 managers of tourism agencies in Turkey and it was found that the managers have affirmative attributes in terms of environmental awareness, environmental sensitivity and sustainability; yet, travel agencies largely lack characteristics of sustainability. Study findings indicate that travel agencies are in need of structural transformation and managers should reflect their environmental awareness, sensitivity and knowledge in their daily business practices. This is only possible if they become the genuine part of institutional, national and international environmental initiatives and programs.

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