Izmir Metropolitan Municipality became a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Minister Tunç SoyerStating that İzmir has taken another important step in the field of sustainable tourism, he said, “Works in harmony with nature and the environment will be introduced to the world as tourism elements.”
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality became a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer, stated that thanks to this membership, the city has taken another important step in the field of sustainable tourism and that works in harmony with nature and the environment will be promoted to the world as a tourism element. Stating that the interest in sustainable tourism has increased in the world, President Soyer said, “The principles of sustainability in tourism have an important role in the preference of destinations. İzmir acts proactively as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.”
Welcome to Izmir from GSTC
GSTC Chairman of the Board (CEO) Randy Durband said, “We warmly welcome İzmir as the new member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. İzmir's commitment to sustainability reflects its deep respect for its historical richness and symbolizes an approach towards its emerging sustainable future.”
About GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) sets and governs global sustainability standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two different criteria: Destination Criteria for public policy makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators.
GSTC encourages destinations that develop tourism and follow sustainability practices in their management to become GSTC members and to apply GSTC Destination Criteria by being certified with the help of a GSTC-approved certification body.
Sustainability studies continue in Izmir
İzmir joined the Green Cities program of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in early 2019. İzmir Green City Action Plan (GCAP) aims to identify and address priority environmental challenges and to create projects with a vision that will provide a green future for the city. It was designed to help achieve the vision of a green Izmir with 46 action proposals including infrastructure investments, policy measures, capacity building and advocacy.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality voluntarily committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing climate resilience by participating in the Agreement of Mayors (CoM) in 2020, preparing and implementing a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP).
The Izmir Global Climate Community, a collective focused on advancing Izmir's mission of becoming a Climate Independent and Smart City to combat the global climate crisis, was also established last May.
