The Culture and Tourism Minister of Turkey, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, has stated that glamping investors will be supplied with an ‘elementary accommodation certificate’, and that the western province of İzmir will be serving as a pilot region, working to promote tourism alternatives.
A law on glamping in Turkey was introduced last year and states that luxurious tents located on wooden platforms must have no further infrastructure and that the site itself should be ‘nature friendly’. The Turkish Government believes that glamping will be a great alternative form of tourism for the country, drawing tourists away from over-populated resorts and bringing employment to rural areas.
Speaking to Hurryet Daily News, Oğuz Tokalak, the deputy head of Turkey Camping and Caravanning Association, clarified that, “The number of caravans in Turkey has risen fivefold. Glamping sites or camping sites with luxurious tents are mostly of interest to the hotel owners.”
Turkey is not alone in trying to advance the glamping industry, with very similar initiatives also being seen in Cyprus. In May, the House Commerce committee in Cyprus heard that the addition of accommodation options such as glamping sites and hostels, would help attract a new niche market focussed on younger visitors.
After initial discussion in mid-2021, the issue was opened for public consultation where an initial draft of the bill was added to the government website open for views submitted by the public. In a press release, the ministry said, “Glamping is a new international trend in tourism, which has been growing rapidly around the world and offers a luxury stay in the countryside.”
The committee concluded discussion of the government’s bill on glamping in May and is forwarding it to the plenary for a vote. The bill’s purpose would be to introduce new provisions modernising the exiting regulatory framework in Cyprus, including provisions which would regulate the operation of luxury camping sites.
Speaking to Cyprus Mail, Committee president Hadjiyiannis discussed both the glamping bill and the hostel bill saying, “With these two bills we are taking steps forward so that we can have a comprehensive tourism service, so that the tourism product is not restricted to specific areas but is distributed throughout Cyprus.”
The current aim is for the glamping bill to be enacted before the House breaks up for summer.
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