In addition to its education and research activities, Near East University spearheads initiatives that contribute to the development of various segments of society. It continues to foster the country’s social, cultural, and economic progress by sharing its knowledge and expertise with the community. Guided by this vision, the Near East University Faculty of Tourism, which supports the tourism sector’s growth through professional training, has added a new initiative to its efforts aimed at advancing sustainability within hotel operations.

The training session, titled “Sustainability in Hotel Operations and the Integration of Sustainable Development Goals”, was held at the Elexus Hotel with the aim of embedding environmental, economic, and social responsibility principles into hotel management. Conducted by Prof. Dr. Nesrin M. Bahçelerli, Dean of the Near East University Faculty of Tourism, the session addressed how to integrate sustainability approaches into the daily operations and service processes of hotels. The training attracted significant interest and was attended by supervisors and managers from various hotel departments.

Environmental, economic, and social dimensions were addressed!

The training, aimed at increasing the knowledge and awareness of industry professionals regarding sustainability, highlighted the significance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for the tourism and hospitality sector. While the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability were assessed during the session, the steps hotel businesses could take, including the efficient use of resources, environmental responsibility, and a commitment to sustainable service, were also discussed. The training offered a valuable professional development opportunity for adopting sustainability goals across various business units and strengthening the corporate culture of sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Nesrin M. Bahçelerli: “Sustainability is the shared responsibility of all units within hotel businesses!”

In her presentation, Prof. Dr. Nesrin M. Bahçelerli, Dean of the Near East University Faculty of Tourism, emphasized that sustainability in hotel businesses should not be viewed merely as a matter of environmental practices. Bahçelerli highlighted the importance of integrating environmental practices into all operational processes and decision-making mechanisms. Noting that employees play a crucial role in making sustainability a part of corporate culture, Prof. Dr. Bahçelerli stated that practices such as the efficient use of energy and water, waste reduction, effective resource management, the preference for local products, and the prioritization of employee well-being would contribute to achieving sustainability goals in hotel businesses. Bahçelerli said, “Translating sustainable development goals into concrete, actionable steps across various business departments is crucial for both strengthening environmental and social responsibility and supporting the long-term success of enterprises.”