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FEBRUARY 2025 36. ISSUESHERATON ANKARA AND LUGAL ANKARA RENEW THEIR GSTC (GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE TOURISM COUNCIL) CERTIFICATIONSheraton Ankara and Lugal Ankara continue to take significant steps in the field of sustainability. In 2023, the renewal of their Phase 3 GSTC Certification was successfully completed. In addition to holding Zero Waste and Green Key certifications, the hotel is accelerating its sustainability efforts through global policies and onsite support, especially as Marriott International has designated 2025 as the \Energy, water, and waste consumption data, reported monthly to the Marriott Environmental Sustainability Hub, are closely monitored alongside carbon footprint calculations. These metrics help evaluate the effectiveness of sustainability strategies and guide improvements when necessary. This system ensures continuous tracking of environmental performance and identifies opportunities for improvement. Guests are transparently informed about environmental impacts and sustainability efforts, with access to detailed information provided through QR codes in guest rooms. These QR codes allow guests to monitor the hotel's environmental performance and learn how they can contribute to its sustainability initiatives.Additionally, under Marriott International%u2019s Serve 360 program, significant emphasis is placed on achieving sustainable tourism certifications and collaborating on joint projects with the Ministry of Culture. These initiatives have led to notable progress in reducing environmental impact and raising awareness of social responsibility. Programs like Serve 360 and the T%u00fcrkiye Sustainable Tourism Program are critical to fostering sustainability awareness and promoting widespread implementation across the industry.Within the hotel, a variety of sustainability practices have been implemented. LED lighting and low-emission boilers are used to save energy, while rainwater is collected and repurposed for landscape irrigation. In waste management, hazardous and non-hazardous materials are segregated at the source, and recyclable items such as plastic, glass, metal, and paper are sent for recycling. Leftover food is donated to animal shelters under the motto %u201cDon't Let Leftovers Go to Waste, Let Them Feed a Life!%u201dWelcome amenities for guests are made entirely from sustainable materials, helping to reduce food waste. Initiatives such as linen reuse programs, in-room waste sorting, and the use of dispenser shampoos and shower gels have been introduced to minimize waste and energy consumption. Guests can also enjoy eco-friendly travel options, including electric vehicle transfers and culturally immersive local tours, enriching environmentallyconscious travel experiences. The sustainability goals are both ambitious and comprehensive. By the end of 2025, the aim is to work with suppliers who source 95% of their products sustainably. This includes free-range eggs, organic meat and seafood, eco-friendly coffee and sugar, and environmentally certified cleaning, textile, guest amenities, and paper products. Additionally, the hotel aims to reduce solid waste by 45%, cut food waste by 50%, and lower energy consumption through the use of renewable energy sources. By the end of 2025, water usage is targeted to decrease by 15%, and by 2030, the goal is to halve the carbon footprint. In the long term, achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 is the ultimate objective. To reach these targets, innovative projects are continuously being developed. For sustainability efforts to have a greater impact, collaboration and awareness among all industry stakeholders are essential. Together, we can ensure the growth of the tourism sector remains sustainable while positioning our country as a leader in global tourism. SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY NEWS 10