18/10/2024
83rd SKAL World Congress Kicks Off at Ahmed Adnan Saygun Arts Center hosted by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality
The 83rd SKAL World Congress commenced with a grand opening ceremony at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Arts Center, hosted by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. In her opening remarks, Seyhan Müşerref Kuralı, Council Member and Chair of the Tourism and Fair Organization Commission, representing the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, emphasized the city’s strengths as a year-round tourism destination.
“Izmir, with its 8,500-year history, UNESCO World Heritage sites, favorable climate, rich cultural heritage, gastronomy, and natural resources, is perfectly positioned for tourism in all seasons,” Kuralı stated. “As the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, we collaborate closely with institutions and stakeholders in the tourism sector to promote our city to the world. We remain committed to working in harmony with the industry to extend tourism across all 12 months.”
Kuralı highlighted Izmir’s growing appeal, noting the increasing number of visitors served annually by the city’s tourism information offices. She also pointed to the success of the Visit Izmir mobile application, which showcases over 2,400 points of interest, ensuring visitors fully experience what the city has to offer.
“The collaborative efforts within Izmir’s tourism sector continue to receive international recognition. Most recently, Lonely Planet ranked Izmir among the top 10 cities to visit in 2024, a testament to the city’s rising prominence on the global stage,” Kuralı added.
Further underlining Izmir’s commitment to sustainability, Kuralı announced ongoing efforts, spearheaded by the municipality, to achieve the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) “Sustainable Tourism Destination Certificate.” In 2023, the “Efeler Road” was selected as one of the top 100 sustainable tourism stories, and just two days ago, the “Urla Vineyard Route” joined the prestigious list for 2024.
Seyhan Ertürk Kuralı
