Sentrum Project

The SENTRUM Project: The purpose of the Center for Tourism Practices Based on Sustainable Energy is to transform the destinations which have not realized their potential through sustainable tourism and to support local economic development. The project has the goal to create positive impacts for the environment, economy and community.

Significance of Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism is not limited to the utilization of clean and renewable energy. The purpose is also to protect cultural and natural assets of the region and to improve the region’s agricultural production, its biological diversity, and its air and water quality. Hence, it is considered as the most meaningful intervention that aims to improve people’s quality of life.

Transformation Begins in Küçükköy, Ayvalık

The SENTRUM contributes to the community-based socioeconomic development by being an inspiration for sustainable tourism with its transformation story that began in Küçükköy, Ayvalık. The project has the goal to adopt global standards in harmony with the specific needs of small-scale destinations in Türkiye.

A New Story in Birgi

We are now setting out for the sustainable transformation journey of Birgi in collaboration with Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), Enerjisa Enerji and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Our purpose is to create sustainable green destinations by getting stronger with the support of Sabancı University, HiltonSA Hotels, Sabancı Foundation, and local stakeholders.

Our Goals

The overall goal of the project is to make significant contributions to the community-based socioeconomic development in small-scale destinations in Türkiye. To reach this goal, we put our efforts to:

• Support social, environmental, and economic transformation in terms of sustainable tourism
• Raise awareness by promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy utilization
• Create sustainable green destinations that are scalable and reproducible.

With the SENTRUM Project, we continue to proceed step by step to create an example of sustainable tourism and local development.