About Us

About Us

EcoTurkey is the home of responsible tourism in Turkey

This site is for discerning travellers who want to explore the rich history, spectacular scenery and legendary hospitality of the real Turkey. On this site you will find useful guides to the country, up-to-date travel advice and details of ethically and ecologically sound holiday packages and accommodations. Eco Turkey holidays will suit families and as well as  those looking for a luxurious breaks and the adventurers who want to explore off the beaten track. We will be offering  beautiful holidays full of character and charm, all great value for money and all a reassurance of responsible tourism.

We promote ethical tourism in Turkey

All holiday options are meticulously vetted by a group of experienced travelers. Eco Turkey insists and always ensures that all collaborators are ethical and eco-friendly businesses which benefit the local economy, promote ethical labour practices and work in line with conservation and sustainable environmental policies.

Eco Turkey Responsible Travel Policy

Eco Turkey  is a trading name of Eco Travel Shop Ltd. We are an independent, UK based tour operator. Eco Turkey is a business with aims  to change tourism for the long-term benefit of local people, for tourists, for the environment and for the tourism industry in Turkey.

Respect for local people, their cultures, traditions, religions and environment are essential to our philosophy. We and our partners  work hard to ensure our groups have a positive impact on the places and people they visit.

Eco Turkey Travel Principles

Those who implement and participate in our ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:

1. Minimize impact.
2. Involves travel to natural destinations.
3. Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
4. Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
5. Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
6. Respect local culture.
7. Support human rights and demographic movement.

Eco Turkey Responsible Travel

We encourage travellers to be responsible. They are not only responsible for themselves, but also responsible for locals and other tourist who may be around them. Our tours and holidays are somewhat similar to educational travel, but is much more active. In other words, the educational aspect of our holidays may teach others about how they can better serve their world, but the responsible aspect of ecotourism ensures that what they teach is actually done. That includes the promotion of water and energy conservation and recycling tactics.

Cape Town Declaration

As a principle Eco Turkey Travel recognises and supports the 2002 Cape Town Declaration. Eco Turkey Travel insists that all collaborators are ethical and eco-friendly businesses which benefit the local economy, promote ethical labour practices and work in line with conservation and sustainable environmental policies.

Eco Turkey holidays will suit families and those looking for a luxurious break as well as those adventurers who want to explore off the beaten track. We offer beautiful holidays full of character and charm, great value for money and also the reassurance of responsible tourism.

Local Labour

All of guides used in the destinations we visit are licenced local guides with proper national accreditation where demanded by law, for all of our guiding activities. As well as contributing to the local economy, this practice ensures that our passengers learn about the region that they are visiting first hand from someone who knows the area(s) intimately and provides local employment.

Eco Friendly Accommodations

To accommodate our guests we only use small family run guesthouses, lodges, historical boutique hotels that employ local workers. In the case of larger hotels, Eco Turkey only collaborate with non-chain locally owned establishments.

Farm Stays in Turkey

We include farm stays in some of our tour itineraries. Obviously Turkey is a fantastic destination for a farm stay holiday. There’s a wide selection of places to choose from Eco Turkey’s directory of farm stays. And nature is the biggest supporter of this farms and farmers. With its endless contributions of air, water, soil, climates, habitats, plants, animals, different geographies, the whole balance of biodiversity, seeds and food, nature is the most important and essential part of this places. And farmers of course, who offer their labour, knowledge, traditions, homes, lands, neighbours, environments, food are the best option for eco-friendly holidays.

Eco Life style in Turkey

Whilst having holiday in our hotels, you will eat traditional, healthy Mediterranean food prepared from locally grown organic ingredients. All foods not actually grown on our eco-friendly accommodations are sourced from other local growers.

For instance, our farm stays includes “everything which grows on the farm”. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, as are all snacks between meals, anything you make in workshops or from materials in the kitchen or garden together with all tea, coffee, herb teas – there are no limits on any of these.

If travellers carbonated or alcoholic drinks they are welcome to buy themselves and bring them to the farm. We say “buy it in the market and pay for it in the market” then you can consume them at the farm.

Organic Certification

In between the rows of fruit trees we grow vegetables and fodder plants. In accordance with organic (IMO) certification our farmers grow tomatoes, peppers, aubergine, artichoke, lettuce, onions, green beans and other vegetables. All our crops go to feed our guests and people working on the farm, some are stored for future use, and any surplus is sent to be sold in the market and help meet the expense of running the farm.

Turkey Tour Activities

All of our guests who join our tours can get involved in work on the farm, go to fishing, just enjoy the outdoor naturel swimming pool, relax in library or take part in workshops based on local culture and handicrafts like kilim weaving, simple clay pottery making, basket making or producing a range of traditional preserves such as jams and pickles.

Child friendly Holidays in Turkey

At our activity holidays we also offer workshops for children where they can make spinning tops, kites, model aeroplanes or try their hand at learning to bake bread or borek. We offer activities for making things for children of all ages, instead of playing computer games, they can make things which will become memorable souvenirs of their stay…

Fresh produces and organic food: local specialities, organic food, home baking, homemade products such as jam, fruit juices, ice cream, milk, yogurt, cheese, sauces, olive oil, wine – you’ll find all these and more…

Political Situation in Turkey

We advise our guests to visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s ‘Know Before you Go’ website to learn about political and other related concerns in the country they are to visit.

Eco friendly Turkey Travel Tips

Eco Turkey, support responsible holidays in Turkey and encourage traveller and businesses to be part of Turkey’s responsible traveller community. We are giving eco-friendly tips and encourage them to follow these travel tips. Our believe all these actions will add up to change in the world.

Conclusion

It’s always the small things that make the big difference. Nowadays more and more people trying to travel with care for the environment and the places they visit, but many do not know how to travel responsibly, without spoiling your holiday mood. To help both to our traveller and our partners, Eco Turkey, support responsible holidays in Turkey and encourage traveller and businesses to be part of Turkey’s responsible traveller community.