Tehran – Member States of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) have essentially met for the Sixth Conference of the ECO Working Group on Tourism Standardization (WGTS) to focus on finalizing a comprehensive set of sustainable tourism standards for accommodation throughout the region.
The conference has marked crucial steps in moving forward with a unified approach to sustainability in the tourism sector in eco countries, organizers announced Tuesday.
Tourism officials and representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkiye and Uzbekistan participated in the session. The important outcome of the conference was a draft European close to the ECO sustainable tourism standards for accommodation aimed at guiding environmentally responsible practices in the hospitality industry across the ECO region.
Discussion focusing on the operational framework of the proposed standards, particularly the procedures for application, certification and post-certification monitoring of tourist facilities. Representatives also reviewed the scope of eligibility requirements, implementation strategies, and criteria aimed at serving as a regional benchmark for sustainable tourism development.
One central topic of discussion was whether adoption of these standards should be mandatory or voluntary. Session experts relied on voluntary models to evaluate applications and highlight the importance of robust and reliable verification mechanisms to ensure transparency and consistency of the authentication process.
“This initiative represents an important milestone in regional cooperation for sustainable tourism,” said one expert. “We provide a shared framework that respects the national context, encouraging hotels and accommodations to commit to higher environmental and social standards.”
The final document will be presented for further deliberation and potential recruitment during the upcoming eighth meeting of a high-level group of experts on tourism. The session will take place before the 6th Eco Ministerial Meeting, scheduled to be held on April 25, 2025 at Erzurum, Türkiye.
When adopted, this standard marks the first harmonized regional standard for sustainability in tourist accommodation within the ECO framework and provides important advances in promoting environmentally sensitive development in one of the region’s most important economic sectors.
morning