Efeler Yolu Culture Route was included in the 2023 Green Destinations Top 100 Good Practice Story list.
Efeler Yolu, which promotes the conservation and appreciation of natural, historical, and cultural richness, has triggered sustainable and holistic rural development in the region, fostering socio-economic growth in the local area. This cultural route achieved its first international success by making it onto the 2023 Green Destinations Top 100 Good Practice Story list.
Starting in the Bornova district of Izmir, Efeler Yolu passes through the Nif and Bozdağ mountain ranges, winding through the plateaus of Kiraz and ultimately reaching Meryemana in Selçuk via the Aydın mountains. This inclusion in the Top 100 Stories list represents a significant milestone in the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality’s sustainable tourism initiatives.
Each year, Green Destinations, an accredited body of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), of which Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is a member, organizes the Top 100 Stories competition. This competition aims to showcase inspiring examples for the tourism sector, from professionals to travelers, by gathering the best sustainable tourism stories from around the world.
Within this scope, the Tourism Department submitted Efeler Yolu to the 2023 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories competition. The project, with the slogan “Follow the footsteps of Efes by witnessing the cultural richness of Efeler Yolu Culture Route,” highlighted the Efeler Yolu initiative as one that conserves nature, supports local economic development, and preserves the Efe culture and traditions.
The story of Efeler Yolu and the full 2023 Top 100 Stories list can be accessed on the Green Destinations website.
Efeler Yolu Cultural Route
Efeler Yolu is a cultural route that connects the villages and highlands in the mountains of Izmir, rich in biodiversity and bearing traces of numerous civilizations. The Efeler Yolu project aims to conserve and highlight the region’s natural, historical, and cultural richness, stimulating sustainable and holistic rural development.
Since the region has hosted various civilizations over the centuries, it boasts a unique cultural heritage. The Efeler Yolu route, spanning 500 kilometers and passing through 28 villages, is expected to provide additional income sources for local residents, especially women.
Green Destinations
Green Destinations is a Netherlands-based organization dedicated to assessing, developing, and certifying sustainable tourism destinations and businesses. It comprises a series of international programs, led by an international partnership of more than 50 representatives, including sustainable tourism experts, consultants, and non-profit organizations.
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