Birgi village; the second destination of the SENTRUM green destination model in Türkiye

Birgi village; the second destination of the SENTRUM green destination model in Türkiye

Izmir's historical village Birgi becomes as the second site for the green destination model of "Center for Tourism Practices Based on Sustainable Energy (SENTRUM)" Project after the achievement of sustainable tourism transformation story in Ayvalık Küçükköy

SENTRUM Project, which started in Ayvalık Küçükköy with the cooperation of Enerjisa Enerji, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Sabancı University, is strengthened by the partnership of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA). The SENTRUM Project will enable Birgi, Izmir's historical village to become the second and new center of the sustainable green destination following Ayvalık Küçükköy. Sabancı Foundation and Hiltonsa Hotels are the supporters of the project, and Ödemiş Municipality and Ödemiş District Governorate are among the local partners of the project.

Birgi village in İzmir will be transformed into a sustainable green destination where cultural and natural values are protected, regional tourism is extended to four seasons with energy efficiency and renewable energy practices, and customized travel experiences with smart routes. It is also aimed to adapt 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 project will pioneer a destination transformation in Birgi in line with the criteria of the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) and conduct climate risk assessment to determine the risks and adaptation measures that will affect the current and future tourism destination. It will also analyse visitors carrying capacity in order not to put pressure on its social, natural and cultural heritage and create a branding and marketing strategy for Birgi.

Moreover, it is aimed to conduct current situation analysis, develop action plans and carry out capacity development activities on issues such as gender equality, employability of women and youth, and internship opportunities for students of tourism vocational high school and university. Besides creating walking and cycling routes, it is planned to encourage environmentally friendly transportation and conduct energy audits in accommodation facilities and public buildings.

The goals of the SENTRUM project, the steps taken so far and what to do next in Birgi were discussed at the press conference held in Birgi village in Izmir on May 20, 2024, with the participation of Murat Pınar, CEO at Enerjisa Enerji, Louisa Vinton, UNDP Türkiye Resident Representative, and Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu, Vice General Manager at Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency.

“With SENTRUM, we will continue to create a global success story together with our stakeholders in Birgi.”

Speaking at the press conference, Murat Pınar, CEO at Enerjisa Enerji, stated “As Enerjisa Enerji, we are leading the energy transformation of growing Türkiye. On the other hand, we are committed to be a part of the solution to the problems of our world and our country, particularly the climate crisis, by establishing partnerships in every field we operate.” said Murat Pınar, CEO of Enerjisa Enerji. “In the light of our vision of a Better Future, we have previously proven in Ayvalık Küçükköy with SENTRUM that the tourism sector, one of the most important income sources of our country, can be transformed with sustainable practices and renewable energy. The SENTRUM project was crowned with both our awareness raising activities and the practices we developed under the umbrella of Energy of My Business (İşimin Enerjisi). As Enerjisa Enerji, we will continue to work for a better future with our stakeholders in Birgi, and we will continue to create a success story in Türkiye and across the world with the SENTRUM project,"

Louisa Vinton, UNDP Türkiye Resident Representative, stated “With the development of tourism, the pressure on natural resources and energy use increases. Climate emergency is threatening many travel destinations, livelihoods and therefore economies that depend on tourism” said Louisa Vinton, UNDP Türkiye Resident Represantative. “Thus, it is crucial to invest in sustainable and resilient tourism practices. Protecting the cultural and biological diversity of all destinations is as important as reducing energy consumption and using renewable energy. We are pleased to cooperate within SENTRUM project to promote sustainable green destinations that can provide social and economic benefits for the country.”

Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) Vice General Manager, stated, “Turkish tourism, which began its transformation journey with zero waste practices, has created a sustainable tourism road map by entering into a collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the organization that sets and manages the global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, as well as providing international accreditation for Sustainable Tourism Certification Bodies as of the beginning of 2022. With this agreement, Türkiye has become the first ccountry to enter into an agreement 'in the presence of the government in the field of sustainable tourism for the first time'. The National Sustainable Tourism Program will transform the entire tourism sector, especially accommodation facilities, destinations, and tour operators. The agreement that Türkiye signed in the presence of the government by attaching significance to the sustainability-oriented approach will enable compliance to all international standards by 2030. We believe that the activities carried out as part of the Sentrum project, which focuses on Sustainable Tourism and is launched in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, TGA, United Nations Development Program and Enerjisa, will contribute to the green transformation in our country and will take its place as a global example of good practice.”















About Enerjisa Enerji
Enerjisa Enerji, which pioneers the energy transformation in Türkiye by using the multiplier effect of sustainability and technology in line with its vision of ‘a better future for all,’ provides service to 26 percent of Türkiye in electricity distribution and retail, which are the main fields of activity of the company. Enerjisa Enerji, the prominent player in the industry, reaches 10.7 million customers in 14 provinces and provides electricity distribution services to more than 22 million users. While Enerjisa Enerji offers renewable energy, efficiency, and green energy solutions to its customers via its Energy of My Business brand, the company also operates the first and fastest charging station network in Türkiye with Eşarj, the company of which Enerjisa owns 100% of its shares. 20 percent of Enerjisa Enerji, whose main shareholders are Sabancı Holding and E.ON, is publicly traded in Borsa Istanbul.

About UNDP
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, UNDP offers global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. For further details: www.undp.org/Türkiye

About TGA
Founded in 2019, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) is dedicated to delivering Türkiye as a brand and a popular destination in both domestic and international tourism markets; discover, develop and promote tangible and intangible natural, cultural, biological and manmade heritage assets; boost the tourism capacity of Türkiye, increase the rate of tourism investments in the national economy and raise the quality of service with short, medium and long-term communication and marketing activities. In line with tourism strategies and policies set by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Agency will carry out all promotion, marketing, and communication activities to serve Türkiye’s tourism goals, promote and market current tourism opportunities across the globe as well as discover, improve and establish potential areas of tourism.