Turkey introduces new standards for hotels and beach businesses

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has introduced new regulations for simple accommodation facilities and beach businesses, as published in the Official Gazette. The changes aim to raise service quality, hygiene, and safety standards across the sector.

Key requirements include a mandatory reception for facilities with 25 or more rooms, the presence of first aid kits, and the employment of certified first aid personnel. Facilities must also implement regular cleaning, pest control, and proper temperature maintenance for food and beverages. New room standards mandate specific bedding, textiles, and additional locking systems where electronic locks are absent.

For swimming pools, the regulation requires filtration and disinfection systems, non-slip flooring, safety steps, and depth markers. At least two certified lifeguards must be employed, and separate pools with a maximum depth of 50 centimeters are required for children, unless the facility only accepts guests aged 12 and older. Safety signage must be provided in Turkish and at least two foreign languages.

A significant change involves the transfer of business licenses; simple accommodation tourism operation certificates can now only be transferred through inheritance or death. Alp Özel, President of ANTOB, expressed concerns regarding the legal clarity of this restriction, particularly for corporate entities where ownership changes might not constitute a direct transfer of the license.