Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification

The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality became the first city in Türkiye to start working with Green Destinations to obtain the Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification.

In 2023, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and initiated efforts to obtain the "Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification." The Tourism Department of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality has partnered with Green Destinations, an accreditation body of the GSTC, to achieve this certification. İzmir thus became the first city in Turkey to begin working towards obtaining the “Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification.”

Under the coordination of the Tourism Department of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, certification work with Green Destinations will be carried out in collaboration with stakeholders in sub-destinations with high tourism activity.

Green Destinations

Green Destinations aims to support the development of destinations worldwide based on the GSTC’s global criteria and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As the largest sustainable destination network, supported by over 60 partners worldwide, Green Destinations assists in implementing sustainable tourism strategies. Over 600 destinations across 60 countries have joined Green Destinations’ programs.

Progress So Far

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, a member of the GSTC, continues its efforts to obtain the "Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification" granted by the Council. As part of the initiative led by the Tourism Department in 2024, certification efforts are being conducted in Selçuk, Urla, and Foça with stakeholders, in collaboration with Green Destinations.

In 2023, İzmir participated in the "Green Destinations Top 100 Stories" competition with three different destinations, and Efeler Yolu Culture Route  was selected among the "Top 100 Stories." In 2024, Urla Vineyard Route was also submitted to the “Green Destinations Top 100 Stories” competition. The story "Unveiling the Wine Heritage of Urla: The Birth of the Urla Vineyard Route" secured a place among the "Top 100 Stories."

To ensure a smooth certification process and meet certification criteria, the "Destination Management Unit" was established within the Tourism Department of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality.