Press and Media

3 June 2020

TÜV SÜD Turkey supports the Turkish hotel industry in its hygiene management System

Audits do not exempt guests and staff from strict compliance with the basic rules of hygiene and distance

We confirm that TÜV SÜD Turkey has been selected by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism as one of more than ten companies to conduct audits related to the country’s „Safe Tourism Program“. As a part of this program, the Turkish government has defined extensive measures for accommodation and catering, as well as for the consumption of food and beverages in restaurants, with which operators and guests must comply. In addition, TÜV SÜD Turkey defined for their audits supporting requirements and criteria which must be fulfilled, e.g. for meeting and convention rooms or kids clubs.

Through its audits, TÜV SÜD Turkey is making an important contribution to safe and hygienic environments, but these audits do not replace the need for strict adherence to basic hygiene rules (such as hand-washing and social distancing), which must be followed by each individual operator and guest independently. COVID-19 still exists. TÜV SÜD would like to point out that an infection can occur at any time if the known rules are not followed.

TÜV SÜD Turkey will conduct on-site monthly audits based on a questionnaire and criteria prepared by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism with the support of the Turkish Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other local industry stakeholders. This questionnaire can be found here: https://www.tga.gov.tr/verified-safe-tourism-program-criterias/.

The supporting requirements and criteria for TÜV SÜD Turkey audits can be found here: https://www.tuv-sud.com.tr/uploads/images/1591108545846822681009/tuev-sued-ek-kriterler.pdf (Turkish only)

In addition to those monthly audits, there will be bimonthly unannounced audits. Further details on the procedure can be found on the official website of the Turkish Ministry of Tourism: https://www.tga.gov.tr/about-safe-tourism-program/

Hotels and restaurants that want to be audited under this program can freely choose one of over ten inspection service providers that have been selected by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A current overview of the selected inspection service providers can be found at: https://www.tga.gov.tr/companies-authorized-to-verify/.

Press-contact: Sabine Krömer