BODTO Policies

BODTO MANAGEMENT POLICY

The Bodrum Chamber of Commerce (BODTO), as an organization committed to total quality and excellence, and continuously learning and developing, pledges to be member-oriented in its operations, to enhance service standards, and to deliver its services effectively and efficiently using the requirements of standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001, ISO 10002 and similar. It is committed to creating value for its stakeholders, and to being participatory, creative and open to innovation. Within its integrated management system, BODTO has prepared and implements documentation defining many requirements — including those for human resources, performance evaluation, strategic planning, accreditation, alongside existing laws and standards. The institutional values adopted by BODTO — the trust placed in it, transparency, business and social ethics — guide the management of its internal and external activities, projects and events through its internal bodies. In all its activities, BODTO commits to act with a management approach based on social responsibility and sustainability. In this context, while enhancing service quality it gives priority to environmental sensitivity and the expectations of the community in which it operates — and supports them.

BODTO FINANCIAL POLICIES

Founded in 1977 to meet the needs of its members, facilitate their professional activities and development, and to uphold discipline, ethics and solidarity so as to establish honesty and trust — and to fulfill the services written in Law No. 5174 and tasks assigned by regulation — BODTO formulates its financial policies for expenditures it will make to fulfil its founding aims, using resources received from its members under the authority given by Law No. 5174: registration fees, annual dues, additional dues, service fees collected for provided services, document fees, publication revenues, donations, participation incomes, and other revenues.
To achieve its strategic aims and ensure its continuity of existence, BODTO evaluates the financial resources it needs based on the principles of transparency and accountability, invests them in areas of minimum risk and manages them in compliance with legislation. The budget of BODTO is drawn up and implemented with regard to the requirements of its plans and programmes, considering cost-benefit factors, according to the principles of efficiency and thrift, and in alignment with the financial period.
With the introduction of the Quality Management System and Accreditation System, our Chamber also experienced positive changes in its financial structure. In light of these changes, our budgets — which used to be input-based (resources, personnel, accounting) — are now being prepared in an outcome- or goal-oriented manner. The most important result of this is the transition to “performance-based budgeting”. Budgets aligned with the Chamber’s vision, mission and strategic objectives have been prepared to obtain more effective and efficient results. In the new planning period, performance-based budgeting will be further developed.

BODTO HUMAN RESOURCES & CORPORATE REPUTATION POLICY

In line with its mission, vision and values, BODTO shares and promotes its current and planned services through appropriate channels. It assumes the goal of raising the number of members by increasing service quality. In all its activities, BODTO ensures that its governance approach is institutional, attentive to the expectations of its stakeholders and society. For this reason, it attaches great importance to the human resources it employs. BODTO implements a policy that values scientific and technological development, emphasizes team work, is committed to the environment, society and ethical values, values job responsibility and awareness of quality service, and treats each member of its staff as a distinct asset. It spares no effort in offering in-service and vocational trainings.
With this in mind, BODTO applies policies that carefully open the necessary trainings to its own staff, its members and the staff of its members. Embracing its members and external stakeholders, BODTO acts in coordination with other institutions and organisations in addressing the issues of its members and stakeholders. For this purpose, it organizes meetings and workshops. It develops and evaluates sectors and professions at risk of disappearance for the Bodrum peninsula, with a tourism-oriented development approach, giving priority to Bodrum’s cultural and local values.

BODTO BUSINESS MANAGEMENT POLICY

In line with its mission, vision and values, BODTO has published its third four-year Strategic Plan, and in accordance with that plan has implemented the Process Management System in compliance with standards. Every four years, the senior management of BODTO updates the Chamber’s Strategic Plan — including the mission, vision and core values — and prepares integrated annual work and business plans in line with the strategic objectives it has set. For this purpose, process management is applied at the Bodrum Chamber of Commerce so that an efficient working plan can be made: both BODTO Fundamental Processes and BODTO Shared Processes prepare their own annual targets and working plans. The General Secretary supervises the alignment of these targets and annual process plans with the Strategic Plan and senior management strategies, and reports the results to the Chamber’s bodies. Based on the evaluation of outcomes, the work policies updated each year may be republished.
In the new planning period the application of Process Management will continue to be strengthened, and this method of management is believed to be the optimal practice for strategic plans.

BODTO PRESS, PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATION POLICY

BODTO contributes to the development of our district’s economy by promoting Bodrum’s history, culture, local values and tourism at the right time, with correct information, through current communication tools such as web, e-bulletin, SMS, e-mail, Mavi (Blue) Magazine, local press and similar media — thereby conveying accurate information to our members, stakeholders, the people of Bodrum and visitors to Bodrum.
For BODTO, implementing the “Press & Publications” policy requires the most current equipment and methods, based on a forward-looking approach aimed at developing new ideas and projects, sustaining R&D and innovation and generating new policies. In creating and executing these policies, BODTO gives priority to a culture of cooperation and collective intelligence with all institutions and organisations. In harmony with its strategies, it is essential to establish sustainable collaborations based on mutual respect, transparency and trust, result-orientation and mutual benefit.

BODTO INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & IT POLICY

In today’s environment, not only staff but also members, internal and external stakeholders and partner institutions all make use of BODTO’s existing and expandable information systems — such as archives and web. The creation of a trusted environment regarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the organization’s information holds strategic importance. To ensure information security, BODTO’s IT policy is built on technological solutions and the use of information processing technologies to take precautions against potential risks and to establish a sustainable system.
With the aim of ensuring that up-to-date and reliable information is used effectively in decision-making and ensuring business continuity, BODTO considers the principles of confidentiality, integrity and accessibility; secures information; closely monitors technology; equips its business processes with new, appropriate, secure and environmentally conscious technologies. To guarantee information security, and to guard against risks that may arise, our Chamber aims to create a sustainable system. With the rapid spread of internet and information systems today, security threats and risks in IT environments have also increased. For this reason, our Chamber is determined to be more cautious in ensuring information security and to comply with the necessary precautions.

BODTO MEMBER/CLIENT RELATIONS POLICY

BODTO holds a reliable identity in terms of the protection of member information, the accuracy of statistical data and the efficient use of resources. Transparency and impartiality: Chamber members can access the information they want, correctly, fully, comprehensibly and easily at any time. The Chamber handles any complaints, requests and inquiries submitted by its members, in a fair and impartial manner within the BODTO Integrated Management System and in accordance with Quality and Accreditation Standards.
The Chamber has made the enhancement of the quality of services it provides to members its fundamental principle. BODTO has formed its Integrated Management System and Accreditation system, has been accredited and continues work to ensure their sustainability. When solving issues concerning the Chamber and our district brought by members, board members and other channels, it generates and implements actionable, fast, solution-oriented proposals.
Since its foundation, the protection of member data has been of utmost importance to BODTO. For this reason, personal data is always kept confidential. The Chamber always keeps registration and trade-registry data, financial information, statistical data and other system-related information of members up to date. By organizing every kind of training, workshop, fair and similar events for the business development of its members, the Chamber announces them in a planned and prompt manner through its communication channels.
BODTO commits to a customer-satisfaction system in which the complaints, wishes and suggestions of its clients can be easily conveyed; these demands are addressed quickly, effectively, objectively, fairly and confidentially; evaluated in accordance with laws; and necessary improvements are made. It collects feedback from members about what they expect from the services provided and sets goals and objectives to improve them. BODTO conducts these policies according to the requirements of the TS EN ISO 10002 Customer Satisfaction Management System standard.

BODTO QUALITY & ENVIRONMENT POLICY

Established under Law No. 5174 on Chambers and Commodity Exchanges, Bodrum Chamber of Commerce provides the services defined in Article 12 of that law to its members, mostly incorporated merchants and traders. Although the majority of its members are incorporated, they have not all achieved sufficient institutionalization; therefore, the Chamber undertakes the duty of supporting their institutional development, business growth and competitiveness, enhancing professional activity, and expanding their international relations in exports, tourism and promotion, by offering training and similar services.
Since achieving A-category accreditation from 2013 onwards, our Chamber — without compromising its quality service principles — pursues continuous development, value addition and an original Bodrum, aiming for 100 % member satisfaction within the framework of relevant laws and regulations. From 2018 onwards, our Chamber fulfills the requirements of all standards incorporated into its system and executes rigorous practices; in the new planning period it will continue to develop the concept of quality through training and implementation.

BODTO ENVIRONMENT, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY

BODTO provides a safe and healthy working environment for all stakeholders who may be affected by its activities; it acts in accordance with relevant standards and takes and implements all necessary precautions. To this end, it exerts the effort required to instil in its members and staff the concepts of care and hygiene that will protect nature and the environment — and for this purpose it organises awareness and training programs.
In all operations carried out at workplaces, it provides a safe and healthy environment by ensuring that measures are taken against possible hazards that may be faced by employees, tenants, visitors and suppliers, in accordance with occupational health and safety legislation and standards, and that occupational health and safety performance is continuously improved. To instil awareness of environment, occupational health and safety and to foster correct behavioural habits, the Chamber offers its employees continuous training opportunities. It works to reduce emergency-situation risks that may occur within the framework of occupational health and safety rules, and to establish the integrity of health, safety and environment. (Supporting Documents 15, 16 & 19)

BODTO PROMOTION, REPRESENTATION & TRADE POLICY

In line with its mission, vision and values, BODTO shares and promotes its current and planned services through appropriate channels. Additionally, in its promotional and representative capacity it uses all national and international channels concerning tourism, commerce, agriculture, industry and production in the Bodrum Peninsula, while sharing with the public of Muğla Province and the peninsula — including public institutions, non-governmental organisations, its members and all of Bodrum’s public — and follows policies that will support them.
It plans and implements studies capable of reliably responding to the international trade needs of its members. Within international representation policies it carries out activities guiding the promotion and bilateral relations of its members, participates in fairs and supports its members’ participation. It organizes training for its members on foreign trade, market research, export procedures and similar topics. In the new planning period, special emphasis will be placed on promotion, and within the framework of sustainability policies, priority will be given to the international accreditation of destinations.

BODTO INFORMATION SUPPORT & CONSULTANCY POLICY

BODTO conducts its vocational knowledge, training, guidance and consultancy services in accordance with planned agreements and the fields of duty and service of its members and other sector representatives. In this context, within the scope of lifelong education and guidance, it ensures the necessary cooperation and coordination to deliver vocational knowledge, guidance and consultancy services to companies and employees according to the characteristics of their fields of duty and service. Accordingly, BODTO has established its Training Center and continues its work in cooperation with Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Bodrum Municipality and private training firms.
It advocates that access to vocational knowledge, guidance and consultancy services is a right for everyone without discrimination. In the design, planning and structuring of these services the lifelong guidance approach is taken as fundamental, and integration is achieved between participants’ job fields and the tasks at their companies.
In training and consultancy services, from the selection of the competent trainer through monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance, a process flow is established, implemented and developed. The BODTO Foreign Trade Research Education Project Unit is responsible for supporting members in matters of research, development and related service units.

BODTO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION POLICY

Using strategic thinking methods, BODTO helps its members to correctly analyse the internal and external environments and the factors affecting competition; to develop creative strategic frameworks, designs and policies; to prepare new business/project development, evaluation and planning; and to help members and company employees learn the required strategies, behaviours, concepts and analytical techniques. To realise this, it organizes training, workshops and seminars. In line with this, it applies policies that do not neglect opening the necessary trainings to its own staff, members and staff of members.
In previous strategic-plan periods our members — including in the service sector — had developed good knowledge of the sustainability concept, export operations and e-commerce applications, but emerged to face difficulty entering foreign markets due to the inability to employ sufficiently knowledgeable personnel. To remedy this deficiency, it was planned to provide training and consultancy services to our members so that SMEs would direct their exports in sectors where they have competitive advantage, increase their production and exports, thereby contributing to the economic development of the region. In the new strategic plan period beginning 2018, topics such as how business owners in Bodrum can seize new opportunities, how they can realize them and what they should do for sustainable competitive advantage, were given importance and many activities were planned. Thus, support will be provided so that our members can compete with their rivals and strengthen their corporate structures.

BODTO SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

The concept of “Sustainable Tourism” began to be used in the 1980s and was essentially meant not one tourism type but the development of different tourism types. Today the sustainability of all business areas and projects has gained importance.
Within the scope of the 2023 Turkey Tourism Strategy, developed by the relevant Ministry, policy and implementation proposals have been formed particularly for the development of various types of tourism. Although the 2023 Tourism Strategy is a strategy aiming for diversity in tourism in line with global trends, it seeks to make tourism sustainable by observing the balance between protecting and using natural, historical, cultural and geographical values. In doing so, an increase in regional incomes and the formation of employment-spread sectors is targeted.
In this framework, it is aimed to carry out works on our peninsula supporting priority tourism areas such as green destinations, accredited tourism regions, tourism corridors, tourism cities and eco-tourism zones. In the new planning period our policies for target works can be grouped as follows:
Managing mass tourism activities currently applied according to the principle of sustainability (energy usage, local products, local employment, green concept, branding, quality certificates, etc.). Developing alternative tourism types designed for disadvantaged groups and those being developed (such as historical tourism, eco-tourism, high-plateau tourism, rural tourism, racing and land-sea sport tourism, health tourism, thermal tourism, winter tourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, etc.) managed with a sustainable approach. Organising ‘Sustainable Tourism’ trainings and seminars on related topics--such as concepts of sustainable tourism, valuation studies, monitoring and managing visitor impacts, ways of working with the tourism industry to reduce impacts, tourism-based education and certification standards (for example “Marine Protected Areas Sustainable Tourism Training” within the strengthening of the marine and coastal protected areas system of the Bodrum Peninsula).