#Unwto United Nations World Tourism Organization

The first city from Turkey to be a member of the Tourism Council

Another important step was taken in line with the goal of making İzmir a leading city in the field of tourism. İzmir became the first city from Turkey to become a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), which was established in 2007 with the support of UNEP United Nations Environment Program and UNWTO United Nations World Tourism Organization to promote sustainability and social responsibility in the tourism sector. MPORTANT STEP IN TOURISM President Tunç Soyer stated that thanks to this membership, İzmir has taken the first important step in the field of sustainable tourism and that works in harmony with nature and the environment will be introduced to the world as a tourism element. Stating that the interest in sustainable tourism has increased in the world and that the principles of sustainability in tourism are important factors in the choice of destinations, Mayor Soyer stated that İzmir has assumed a leading role as a member of the international sustainable tourism council. IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR IZMIR GSTC provides international accreditation services for sustainable tourism certification bodies by setting global standards for sustainable travel and tourism. Being included in the GSTC certification system, which is one of the most important organizations supporting sustainable tourism in the world, constitutes an important opportunity for İzmir to turn its efforts in harmony with nature into a value in the field of tourism. The cities of Barcelona, Athens, Valencia, Berlin, Florida and prominent cities, provinces and countries in sustainable tourism are members of the GSTC. In Turkey, the Tourism Development Agency (TGA) and Şişli Municipality are members of the GSTC. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality aims to implement activities that support sustainable tourism within the scope of İzmir Tourism Promotion Strategy and Action Plan. Within the scope of İzmir Sustainable Energy and Climate Plan (SECAP), Green City Action Plan (YŞEP), Sponge City Project and İzmir's Life Compatible with Nature Strategy, it identifies and promotes sustainable development along with local development.