Birgi will be the second stop of the SENTRUM green destination model

Birgi to be the second stop of the SENTRUM green destination model

The “Sustainable Energy Based Tourism Application Center (SENTRUM)” Project, which has signed a transformation story in sustainable tourism, is bringing the second center of the green destination model to life in the historical Birgi Village of İzmir after Ayvalık Küçükköy.

After Enerjisa Enerji, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Sabancı University, the SENTRUM Project, which is strengthened by the partnership of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), will make the historical Birgi village of İzmir the second and new center of the sustainable green destination after Ayvalık Küçükköy. Sabancı Foundation and HiltonSA Hotels are the supporters of the project, while Ödemiş Municipality and Ödemiş District Governorship are among the local partners of the project.

Birgi village of Izmir, where local development will be supported, will be transformed into a sustainable green destination where cultural and natural values ​​are preserved, regional tourism is spread to all four seasons with energy efficiency and renewable energy applications, and visitors can personalize their travel experiences with smart routes. Within the scope of the SENTRUM Project, it is aimed to harmonize globally accepted standards with the unique needs of the destination and support sustainable tourism in order to contribute to community-based socio-economic development in Birgi.

The main objectives of the project include leading a destination transformation in Birgi in line with the criteria of the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council), determining the risks and adaptation measures that will affect the current and future tourism destination with climate risk assessment, making visitor planning in a way that will not create pressure on Birgi's social, environmental and cultural heritage with the visitor carrying capacity study, and creating a branding and marketing strategy for Birgi.

Within the scope of the studies carried out, it is aimed to conduct current situation analyses, prepare action plans and carry out capacity development studies on issues such as gender equality, employability of women and youth, determination of internship opportunities for tourism vocational high school and university students. In addition to the creation of walking and cycling routes, the SENTRUM model, which is planned to encourage environmentally friendly transportation and conduct energy studies in accommodation facilities and public buildings, increases opportunities for livelihoods while also focusing on the promotion of Birgi's unique cultural and natural heritage.

The goals of the SENTRUM project, the steps taken so far and what will be done in Birgi from now on; were shared at the press conference held in İzmir Birgi village on May 20, 2024 with the participation of Enerjisa Enerji CEO Murat Pınar, UNDP Turkey Resident Representative Louisa Vinton and Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency Deputy General Manager Dr.Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu.

“With SENTRUM, we will continue to write a success story on a global scale with our stakeholders in Birgi.”

Speaking at the press conference, Enerjisa Enerji CEO Murat Pınar said, “As Enerjisa Enerji, we are leading the energy transformation of a growing Turkey. On the other hand, we undertake to be a part of the solution by establishing partnerships for the problems of our world and our country, especially the climate crisis, in every field we operate. In light of our vision of a Better Future, we had previously proven in Ayvalık Küçükköy with SENTRUM that the tourism sector, one of the most important sources of income for our country, can be transformed with sustainable practices and renewable energy. The Sentrum project was crowned with both our awareness studies and the projects we developed under the roof of İşimin Enerjisi. As Enerjisa Enerji, we will continue to work for a better future together with our stakeholders in Birgi and set an example for Turkey, while continuing to write a success story in Turkey and the world with the SENTRUM Project.”

UNDP Turkey Resident Representative Louisa Vinton said, “Tourism can be a powerful engine of development. However, it can also create heavy pressure on the environment and cause natural beauties that attract tourists to be ignored. Therefore, it is vital to develop greener, more sustainable models that protect and value nature while providing social and economic benefits to the local people who make a living from tourism.”

Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu, Deputy Director General of the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), said, “Turkish tourism, which started its transformation journey with zero waste studies, has created a sustainable tourism roadmap by establishing a cooperation agreement with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), which is the organization that determines and manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, as well as providing international accreditation for Sustainable Tourism Certification Organizations as of 2022. With this agreement, Turkey has become the first government to sign an agreement with the government in the field of ‘sustainable tourism’. The National Sustainable Tourism Program will ensure transformation in the entire tourism sector, especially for accommodation facilities, destinations and tour operators. Turkey will take the sustainability-oriented approach seriously and sign the agreement with the government, and all international standards will be achieved by 2030. We believe that the work within the scope of the Sentrum project, which was implemented with the partnership of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, TGA, United Nations Development Program and Enerjisa and focused on Sustainable Tourism, will contribute to the green transformation of our country and take its place as an example of good practice in the world.”

About Enerjisa Enerji

Enerjisa Enerji, which pioneers Turkey’s energy transformation by using the multiplier effect of sustainability and technology with the vision of ‘A better future for everyone’, provides services to 26 percent of Turkey in its main business lines of electricity distribution and retail sales. As the largest player in the sector, Enerjisa Enerji reaches 10.7 million customers in 14 provinces and provides electricity distribution services to over 22 million users. Enerjisa Enerji offers renewable energy, efficiency and green energy solutions to its customers with the İşimin Enerjisi brand; and operates Turkey’s first and fastest charging station network with Eşarj, which it owns entirely. Enerjisa Enerji, whose main shareholders are Sabancı Holding and E.ON, has 20 percent of its shares publicly traded on Borsa İstanbul.

About UNDP
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to create nations that can withstand crises and promote and sustain growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. It offers global perspective and local insight to help build strong individuals and resilient communities in 177 countries and regions. For more information: www.undp.org/Türkiye

About TGA
Established in 2019, the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) continues its work to make Turkey a brand and center of attraction in the domestic and international tourism market, to discover, develop and promote tangible and intangible natural, cultural, biological and human heritage, and to increase Turkey's tourism capacity and the share of tourism investments in the country's economy and service quality through short, medium and long-term communication/marketing activities. In line with the tourism strategies and policies determined by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Agency carries out all promotional, marketing and communication activities regarding Turkey's tourism goals, the promotion and marketing of existing tourism opportunities worldwide, and the discovery, development and acquisition of potential tourism opportunities.