A green destination in the shade of olive trees

A green destination in the shade of olive trees - Murat Pınar – CEO at Enerjisa Enerji

In ancient times, in the 8th century BC, Homer's visit to the Aegean coast in Anatolia starts just like a fairy tale. One day, when he was resting under the olive trees, the trees whisper in his ear: “I belong to everyone, I don't belong to anyone; I was here before you came, and I will be here after you leave.” This voice echoes just like a message beyond time coming from the stone houses and courtyards of Küçükköy -Ayvalık, from the narrow streets of Northern Aegea which carries the traces of antique Greeks and three big empires (Roman, Byzantium, Ottoman) and which hosts a rich gastronomic heritage in the shade of olive trees.

When you take steps in this region, you would feel the fabric of the past like you stepped into a time machine and you would face the importance of being a tourist with a sense of responsibility. Responsible tourism reminds us to rethink our way of traveling and consider our impact on the places we visit. As a sector which employs millions of people, provides foreign currency input, and supports local businesses, tourism has a critical role in the economic development of our country. Considering this significance, Sentrum has become an award-winning project that promotes a sustainable tourism model by collaborating with local businesses and supporting local communities since 2021.

Together with the growth in the tourism sector, the environmental and social responsibilities of the sector are also growing. During this period in which responsibilities increase, private companies, non-governmental organizations and academics taking responsibility to focus on the issues which are important for the community and the country is critical by them adopting the principle of partnership for common purposes.

As Enerjisa, we continue our works with a focus on sustainability while giving thought to the issues which are important for the country and society, and we aim to create a multiplier effect through approaches that develop our country and contribute to its sustainability. Sentrum project, with the leadership of Enerjisa and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with a similar approach as well as with the support of Sabancı University, does not only provide solutions for the problems of tourism sector, but also directly or indirectly contributes ten of the sustainable development goals.

The steps taken with the Sentrum project enables us to become aware about our individual as well as collective responsibility as a modern time echo of Homer’s legendary dialog. Thus, the cool shades in the narrow streets and under the olive trees in Küçükköy-Ayvalık not only bring us the stories of the past, but also carry a hopeful future which will be left to the next generations.

We will continue to work for a better future together with all our stakeholders who contributed in our Sentrum project, who has been there before we arrived and who will be there after us by protecting natural beauties.