2024 Skal Award to Efes Field Living Village

Selçuk Municipality received the second prize in the “Education and Social Sciences” category at the 83rd World Congress organized by the International Skal Club with the Efes Field Living Village. Efes Field Living Village, awarded by Skal International, one of the significant organizations operating in tourism and sustainability worldwide, was recognized for its experiential tourism option in response to the changing understanding of tourism.

The 83rd World Congress organized by the International Skal Club brought together tourism stakeholders from 90 different countries. Within the scope of the 83rd World Congress, which was held for the first time in İzmir by the International Skal Club (Skal International), Selçuk Municipality received an award in the Education and Social Programs Category with Efes Field Living Village.

Efes Field Living Village, brought to life by Mayor Filiz Ceritoğlu Sengel as a development story that “starts with seeds from the soil”, contributes to producer training with its Soil School, aids in the multiplication of heirloom seeds with its Seed Center, and recently offers the opportunity to witness the journey of agriculture from the past with the İsmail Hakkı Tonguç Agricultural Museum, which has recently gained the status of an open-air museum. There is also a memory room related to the Village Institutes, which inspired the project, in Efes Field Living Village.

“Visitors seek experiences in tourism”

Stating that the agricultural project of Efes Field Living Village is beyond mere agriculture, Mayor Filiz Ceritoğlu Sengel said, “While realizing this project, we aimed to create a living place alongside our goals of promoting family farming, ensuring our children meet the soil, and teaching our producers the correct agricultural techniques. We also aimed to involve not only producers, children, and youth but also our visitors in this project. We have had many visitors from both domestic and international locations to date. Today, especially in the post-pandemic period, the understanding of tourism has changed worldwide. In this changing understanding of tourism, there is a search for experiences by visitors, as well as an increasing interest in agro-tourism. We can say that Efes Field Living Village is increasingly attracting the attention of visitors. In this respect, it made us happy to be awarded, especially in the ‘Education and Social Sciences’ category, at the 83rd World Congress held in İzmir for the first time this year by the International Skal Club.”