Erzurum– April 26, 2025
The historic city of Erzurum was formally inaugurated as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2025 during a distinguished ceremony held on April 26, 2025. The event, marked by cultural vibrancy and international camaraderie, was attended by high-ranking dignitaries, including H.E. Cevdet Yılmaz, Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye; H.E. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye; Ambassador Asad M. Khan, ECO Secretary General as well as local and international guests.
In his address, Vice President Yılmaz lauded Erzurum’s unique amalgamation of historical richness, cultural depth, and natural beauty, emphasizing its potential as a hub for eco-tourism and adventure tourism. Minister Ersoy highlighted Türkiye’s commitment to regional collaboration and the sharing of expertise in tourism development, describing Erzurum’s designation as a significant achievement. Ambassador Khan reaffirmed ECO’s dedication to promoting sustainable tourism and regional integration, expressing confidence that Erzurum’s tenure as ECO Tourism Capital will foster this well-established tradition of the ECO.
The ceremony included the official presentation of the ECO Tourism Capital 2025 certificate by Ambassador Khan to Mr. Mustafa Çiftçi, Governor of Erzurum, accompanied by Mr. Mehmet Sekmen, Mayor of Erzurum, and Mr. Muharrem Çığlık, Coordinator for ECO Tourism Capital 2025.
The event featured captivating cultural performance, the “Dance of Epics” reflecting various historical story telling items and celebrating the city’s rich cultural heritage.
So far, Erzurum has hosted a series of significant events, such as the Winter Games, World Snowboard Cup, and the ECO Winter Disaster Drill. The city’s calendar also includes the Drama Festival, International Cycling Tour, Cultural Road Festival, and Gastronomy Fair, among various local festivities, all aimed at showcasing Erzurum’s diverse attractions. Notably, Erzurum also holds the title of European Capital of Winter Sports for 2025, further cementing its status as a premier destination for winter tourism.
