Muğla Metropolitan Municipality's projects 'Barrier-Free Beach for Everyone' and 'Good, Clean, and Fair Food Access' were shown as exemplary models in the 2026 Smart Tourism Capital Best Practices Report prepared by the European Commission.
In the 2026 Best Practices Compilation Report prepared by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), Muğla stood out with its work in accessibility in tourism and preserving gastronomic heritage. Two of the city's projects were included among the “Best Practice” examples in Europe.
Barrier-Free Beaches Set as Example for Europe
In the report, under the category “Best Practices in Accessibility,” Muğla was presented as a model application along with the city of Tampere in Finlandia under the heading “Accessible Beaches.” The report includes the following evaluation regarding the accessible beach project carried out by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality: "Muğla’s accessible beaches project offers an equal beach experience for everyone. The accessible beach design includes special walkways, ramps to the sea, guiding signs, amphibious chairs, and accessible restrooms. Additionally, the Metropolitan Municipality transports disabled individuals who want to enter the sea during the summer months from their homes to the beaches with disability transport vehicles and expert staff," it was stated. A total of 23 accessible beaches serving in 8 districts throughout Muğla ensure safe and comfortable access to the sea for disabled individuals.
Slow Food Muğla Earth Market Also Among Best Practices
In the 2026 report, under the category "Best Practices in Cultural Heritage and Creativity" and the headline "Preserving Culinary Heritage," Muğla was shown as one of the exemplary cities alongside Gaziantep, Krakow (Poland), and Stuttgart (Germany). Slow Food Muğla Earth Market, established with the understanding of "good, clean, and fair access to food" by Muğla Promotion Platform, of which Muğla Metropolitan Municipality is one of the stakeholders, was evaluated in the report not only as a shopping area but also as a creative public space that ensures cultural transmission between local producers and consumers and preserves the identity of the city.
Traditional Culinary Culture is Carried into the Future
The report also highlighted the International Traditional Muğla Wedding Foods Festival, held annually at the Slow Food Muğla Earth Market. It was emphasized that the festival not only preserves regional dishes but also wedding rituals, traditional presentation styles, social memory, and culinary heritage. Enriched with workshops, concerts, gastronomy events, and traditional wedding ceremonies, the festival was cited as an example of the successful convergence of cultural heritage and creative industries. Additionally, it was noted that Muğla not only preserves its cultural values from the past but also pioneers sustainable tourism by revitalizing them with today's creative tools.
Two Applications of Muğla Among the Best Examples in Europe
These two projects featured in the report prepared by the European Commission revealed that Muğla is among the cities internationally recognized as examples in the fields of accessible tourism and cultural heritage preservation. The works carried out by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality with a human-centered and sustainable tourism approach have achieved significant success at the European level.
President Aras: “Being Cited as an Example in Europe Is Both a Great Honor and a Strong Source of Motivation for Us”
Ahmet Aras, President of the Coastal Municipalities Union and Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, stated that having two of Muğla's projects included as best practice examples in a report prepared by the European Commission is both a great honor and a strong source of motivation for them. Aras said, “Today, Muğla is a city that stands out internationally with its natural beauty, cultural heritage, production power, and sustainable tourism approach. For us, tourism means ensuring that everyone has equal access to this city's sea, sun, nature, culture, and living opportunities. With our Barrier-Free Beach for Everyone project, we are removing obstacles so that people with disabilities can equally, safely, and freely enjoy Muğla’s natural beauties. Through the Slow Food Muğla Earth Market, we support local producers and carry our deep-rooted culinary culture to the future with an understanding of good, clean, and fair food. We will continue to work to promote Muğla more powerfully in the world with a tourism vision that is accessible, sustainable, and respectful of its cultural heritage.”
Two Projects of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Became an Example for Europe
The ground, play groups, and sports areas in Üçkuyular Park have been renewed. A safer living space was created for children and citizens.
The 'Barrier-Free Market' project was launched by the Muğla Branch of the Turkish Association of Disabled People to support the economic and social participation of disabled individuals and their families.
With the new regulation published in the Official Gazette, significant changes have been made to the norm staff system of municipalities. The regulation covering municipalities across Turkey also closely concerns the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality and its affiliated institutions. Director positions exceeding the norm staffing standards will be frozen, and when they become vacant, they will not be refilled and will be canceled by the decision of the municipal council.
In the global tourism research prepared by MoneyTransfers.com, Muğla ranked 4th worldwide in terms of the number of tourists it hosts relative to its resident population. Featuring a tourist/resident ratio of 40.2, Muğla surpassed important global tourism destinations such as Venice, Miami, Orlando, Rhodes, and Antalya in the study.
TZOB General President Şemsi Bayraktar announced that 151 producers were affected by the forest fire in Seydikemer, and 2,128 decares of agricultural land and 45 houses were damaged.