Nature and Culture

This is the vital point of the 21st century tourism trend. The nations able to achieve the mentality of sustaining their natural values and cultural assets shall be the demandable destinations for the ecologically aware, quality tourists. Skal had a ecological tourism award in various categories last year and the awards shall be given this year at the Skal convention at Chennai/India. I took the liberty of nominating the Lycian Way Trekking Route of Kate Clow sponsored by Garanti Bank and the Bugday Magazine that concentrates on ecological side of almost everything. They have won, I feel very proud about the whole thing. When Turkey is in the global arena being heard and recognized with positive deeds, I feel that I am doing my duty as a citizen of Turkey.

The CEKUL Foundation, our cover story is a very valuable Foundation carrying Turkey to future safely by educating the right minds at the correct regions. The foundation for the protection and Promotion of the Environmental and Cultural Heritage was founded in 1990 by 25 professors and experts of various academic and cultural fields. Their aim is to create, educate, lead, encourage the means of protecting the environment and cultural preservation. Without nature neither human nor culture exists. A better future with the conservation of nature and protection of our identity and past by the preservation of our cultural resources and heritage. This the firm belief of CEKUL and they target to achieve it with the various projects that they are leading in Turkey.

Meet a Region has the Kelkit Valley Project and this is how I happened to learn about CEKUL in a wider scope. Health and Wealth has Resadiye with its new thermal/spa hotel. Fly & See has the Ballica Cave at Tokat. The 16 Municipalities work in great harmony at the Kelkit Platform and we will include their other achievements in our coming issues. Cekul is leading this project as well.

See you at TravelExtra-Istanbul.

Sevil OREN