Izmir's Gölcük Lake panel outlines sustainable tourism plan

The İzmir Development Agency funded a 2025 technical support program that produced an ecosystem report for Gölcük Lake, a historic natural and cultural centre in the Ödemiş district. A wide‑participation panel presented the findings to the public, bringing together local stakeholders, academics and environmental officials. Mayor Mustafa Turan emphasized the lake’s spiritual significance for the Aegean region and urged that scientific data guide a revival of sustainable urban tourism.

Professor Okan Külköylüoğlu of Abant Izzet Baysal University described sediment analysis that confirms the lake’s uninterrupted 7,400‑year natural history and highlighted its ancient reference as “Forevya.” The project consolidated decades of regional research into a single database, underpinning future protection and low‑impact tourism development.

The meeting called for preserving biodiversity while establishing eco‑friendly tourism infrastructure, positioning Gölcük Lake as a model for other Turkish regions.