{"id":500,"date":"2025-05-01T10:24:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T10:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/?p=500"},"modified":"2025-05-05T04:11:46","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T04:11:46","slug":"the-city-of-tarsus-received-fijet-golden-apple-reward-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/news\/the-city-of-tarsus-received-fijet-golden-apple-reward-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"The City of Tarsus received FIJET Golden Apple reward 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It has been an honor to award the City of Tarsus with Golden Apple. A lesser known but very fascinating city\u00a0 of Turkiye , located in the region of Mersin received the FIJET 2025 Golden Apple or \u201cLa Pomme d\u2019Or\u201d Award for an exceptional synergy of natural, historical and traditional heritage which greatly helps the destination for a sustainable tourism as well.Tarsus, which has been the meeting point of civilizations. throughout history, is now once again on the world tourism stage. Tarsus is an ancient city with a history of 10 thousand years, a city that has hosted many civilizations and bears the traces of important personalities such as Saint Paul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Fijet Golden Apple Award, was presented to Tarsus with a magnificent ceremony. At the ceremony held in Saint Paul Square, the Mayor of Tarsus, Ali Bolta\u00e7, was presented with the “Golden Apple\u00a0 Award \u201e by FIJET President Tijani Haddad with Executive Committee Members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tarsus District Governor Mehmet Ali Aky\u00fcz, Mayor of \u00c7aml\u0131yayla Mehmet Fatih Sofu, Tarsus University Rector Ali \u00d6zen, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality (MMU) Deputy Mayor, Tarsus Police Chief Yavuz \u015eahin, Serdal G\u00f6kayaz, Adana Provincial Culture Director Emre Duru, F\u0130JET World Vice President Delal Atamdede, H\u00fcseyin Kurto\u011fullar\u0131,Fijet Turkiye BofD Member, Gurkan Boztepe,the Fijet Turkiye President, TYGD Presidency and many members from took part in the award ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Mayor of Tarsus, Ali Bolta\u00e7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the gala dinner after the award ceremony, which was attended by many guests, Violinist Anna Miadzvedzeva, Kanun Virtuoso Ahmet Baran and his orchestra took the stage. Maestro Bruno Santori, Mediterranean Orchestra took a stage with turkish musiciens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tarsus District Governor Mehmet Ali Aky\u00fcz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Fijet Turkiye Delegation and the City of Tarsus Delegation with the City Mayor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the gala dinner after the award ceremony, which was attended by many guests, Violinist Anna Miadzvedzeva, Kanun Virtuoso Ahmet Baran and his orchestra took the stage. Maestro Bruno Santori, Mediterranean Orchestra took a stage with turkish musiciens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The ceremony and hospitality truly made it memorable.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We sincerely appreciate and give thanks to Mr. Ali Boltac, the City Mayor of Tarsus with his great team, Huseyin Kurtogullari,Gurkan Boztepe and a great team from TYGD-Fijet Turkiye for an excellent organization, hospitality and support, and we all found the presence rewarding and enjoyable. Thank you to Fijet Executive Committee members and other members from Bulgaria, Croatia, France, United States and Turkiye for significant contributions to our Fijet Golden Apple Award Ceremony in Tarsus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fijet and Mediterranean Tourism Forum Delegation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks for inviting all of EC Members and Fijet Turkiye members, as well as MTF -Mediterranean Tourism Forum Delegation, Vatican Delegation, Siracusa and Palazzolo Acreide Delegation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fijet and Mediterranean Tourism Forum Delegation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Fijet Delegation, MTF Delegation, Vatican and Siracusa Delegation in the St.Paul Church<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

THE PARTS OF A CEREMONY\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SISTER CITY AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH PALAZZOLO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sister city protocol was signed between Tarsus Municipality and Palazzolo Acreide, Italy. Defining Tarsus as a world city, Tarsus Mayor Ali Bolta\u00e7 said, “Tarsus is an ancient city with a history of 10 thousand years, a city that has hosted many civilizations and bears the traces of important personalities such as Saint Paul. We once again felt this rich heritage in the historical streets we visited with you. Here, the Companions of the Muslims, St. Paul of the Christians, and the Prophet Daniel of the Jews are together. In addition to its historical texture, Tarsus is a city that really makes a difference with its unique cuisine and the friendly and hospitable people of the Mediterranean. In line with this cultural richness and common values, we are very happy to sign the sister city protocol with Palazzolo Acreide today.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STATEMENTS AND SPEECHES AT THE CEREMONY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali  Boltac, the City Mayor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continuing his speech by expressing his belief that the Golden Apple Award will bring good luck to Tarsus, Mayor Bolta\u00e7 said, “With this award, the real estate sector will be strengthened, industrial activities will increase, and our gastronomy sector will revive. Together, we will build the tourism destination Tarsus. Our city, which was only a transit route in the past, will now be a stopping point and a discovery point.  We will exhibit the Golden Apple award at the most beautiful point of our city.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stating that he will always strive for Tarsus, Mayor Bolta\u00e7 said, “I am the Mayor of every living thing in Tarsus. It is our duty to manage this city together and to carry it to the future together. I will stand in front of anyone who betrays this city. It is our common responsibility to leave Tarsus to future generations in a stronger way. I would like to thank all my teammates in the municipality for showing that this is a team work, what one hand can do and what two hands can achieve. With our unity and solidarity, no obstacle can stand in our way.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tijani  Haddad, the Fijet  President<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tijani Haddad, Chief Executive Officer of the World Federation of Tourism Writers and Journalists (FIJET), said: “I am delighted to be here. I would like to thank our Mayor Ali Bolta\u00e7. He has worked hard in this sense. They took an active action and won FIJET’s Golden Apple award. This award is given every year to associations and cities working in the field of tourism. We especially give this award to cities that respect nature, respect culture, and respect artifacts inherited from ancient civilizations.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huseyin  Kurtogullari, TYGD-Fijet Turkiye Board of Directors Member<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking on the meaning and importance of the day, H\u00fcseyin Kurto\u011fullar\u0131, Member of the Board of Directors of FIJET Turkey, said, “Paul’s stop before going to Rome was Palazzolo Acreide. At the request of my president and with your testimony here, we will declare these two cities as sister cities.” Then the Consul of Italy Domenico Romeo expressed his thanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayor Serdal G\u00f6kayaz, MMU Deputy Mayor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emphasizing the importance of Tarsus, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality (MMU) Deputy Mayor Serdal G\u00f6kayaz said, “I would like to convey the greetings and love of our Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mr. Vahap Se\u00e7. We believe that Tarsus will take its rightful place in the world.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarsus District Governor Mehmet Ali Aky\u00fcz, Tarsus District Governor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarsus District Governor Mehmet Ali Aky\u00fcz said, “I am happy that the Golden Apple award was given to our city. I would like to thank our association very much. I wish our 10-thousand-year-old ancient city to gain the value it deserves in tourism.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delal Atamdere, Fijet V.P.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

F\u0130JET Vice President Delal Atamdede wished the Golden Apple award to be beneficial to the city and said, “Turkey is the country that has been deemed worthy of the most Golden Apple among the countries in the world. A great honor for tourism. I wish this award to be beneficial. Hopefully, this award will make great contributions to our city in the economic, tourism and social fields.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It has been an honor to award the City of Tarsus with Golden Apple. A lesser known but very fascinating city\u00a0 of Turkiye , located in the region of Mersin received the FIJET 2025 Golden Apple or \u201cLa Pomme d\u2019Or\u201d Award for an exceptional synergy of natural, historical and traditional heritage which greatly helps the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":501,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2025-Tarsus-GA-Award-Ceremony-2.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/500"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=500"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/500\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":516,"href":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/500\/revisions\/516"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/501"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=500"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=500"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fijetworld.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}