Continuing its efforts to ensure that Izmir gets its deserved share from tourism, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is reaping the fruits of its investments in this field, one by one. Izmir, which was included in Lonely Planet's list of 10 cities to travel in 2024, made the tourism sector representatives happy. Industry representatives, who are looking forward to 2024 with hope, said, "The investments made by Tunç Mayor to make the city a tourism city are visible."

The efforts of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer to develop the tourism potential of the city were rewarded. Lonely Planet, one of the pioneers of international travel publishing and celebrating its 50th anniversary, included only Izmir from Turkey among its '10 cities to travel in 2024'. Tourism sector representatives, who are looking forward to 2024 with hope, said that the investments made in the last 5 years played a role therein. 

Proud news
Stating that Izmir is very honored to be included in Lonely Planet's "Best Cities" list to travel to for 2024, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mr. Tunç Soyer said, "Also, it is proud news that we are the only city from Turkey to be included in this list. We have taken many important steps within the scope of our vision of making Izmir a world and tourism city. We provide services to visitors coming to Izmir with six Tourism Information Offices in different parts of Izmir. After 6 years, we enabled cruise ships to come to the city again. We have become members of international networks, including the International Sustainable Tourism Council and the World Tourism Cities Federation. We made our city known to the world with the international events we hosted and the awards we received in the field of tourism. "Despite the pandemic period when tourism movement in the world stopped, we continued our work in tourism and started to reap the fruits," he said.

Collaboration with guides for new destinations
Mentioned on the work to be carried out in 2024, Mayor Soyer said, “Our work on tourism will continue at the same pace. We will create new destinations within our city and share them with our guides. We will reap the fruits of our work on sustainable tourism and cruise tourism in 2024. 31 ships arrived at Izmir Port in 2023. 69 ships have been booked for 2024. Our Izmir - Lesbos voyages will continue this summer. "In addition, we are starting Izmir - Samos voyages," he said.

Izmir is always one step ahead
Representatives of the tourism sector in Izmir also stated that the fact that Izmir is the only city from Turkey to be included in Lonely Planet's list will play an important role in promoting the city. TÜRSAB Aegean Regional Representation Board Chairman Kıvanç Meriç underlined that Izmir is the tourism city of Turkey and said, “Izmir is always one step ahead. After the pandemic, consumers have developed a desire to go to more boutique, special and crowded destinations. Consumers' search for different tourism destinations makes Izmir stand out in Turkey. Recently, gastronomy has developed greatly in Urla, and it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List with a total of four components: Ephesus Ancient City, Ephesus Ruins, House of Virgin Mary, Ayasuluk Hill and St. Jean Basilica, and Çukuriçi Höyük, located in the Selçuk district of Izmir. In addition, the steps taken by our Mayor Tunç Soyer for the development of tourism are extremely valuable. Tourists are having a great day in Izmir as cruise ships put Izmir on their routes again. "Izmir is becoming a brand city every day," he said. 

Şaşzade: “It is a pleasure for us to attract the attention of such a publication that is valued worldwide.”
Emphasizing that İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer has made a great contribution to tourism, İzmir Tourist Guides Chamber (İZRO) Chairman Macit Şaşzade said, “The investments made by Tunç Mayor to make İzmir a tourism city every few years are apparently visible. Most recently, the support from the city council regarding the specialization of the guides was very valuable. In addition to these studies, Izmir's location, being on the UNESCO historical list, and its gastronomy are inviting to the world. We can interpret the fact that an important publication such as Lonely Planet has announced the name of the city to the whole world as receiving the reward of all the investments, studies and committees' efforts. "It is a pleasure for us to attract the attention of such a publication that is valued worldwide," he said.

Güney: “It shows the value that Europe and the world attach to Izmir”
SKAL Izmir Chairman Güner Güney said, “Izmir Offices opened abroad, investments made for the promotion of the city, and the number of fairs approaching 40 in 2024, which was 10 in 2019, are very important for the promotion of the city. In return for the investments made, it shows the value that Europe and the world attach to Izmir by attracting the attention of international publications. There is history in Izmir. There is culture. "It is very important to visit the 8,500-year-old history of Izmir in one day with Visit Izmir. Izmir, the city of democracy where gastronomy is discussed, the comfortable and safe city, of course, stands out among the most remarkable cities in Turkey," he said. 

What is Lonely Planet?
International travel guide publisher Lonely Planet was founded in Australia in 1973. It published over 150 million books. Lonely Planet covers most countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the America. The Lonely Planet series offers comprehensive, realistic low- and mid-budget lists and helpful travel tips. Each year, Lonely Planet selects 50 destinations to feature on its Best in Travel lists.