Giving Mersin Its Identity
There’s something I take great pride in sharing wherever I go. I am from Mersin, and I feel the rightful pride of being born in this unique city where green meets blue.
If I were to list cities in Türkiye, certain identities would quickly come to mind for many of our major cities. Let me elaborate with a few examples: Istanbul is the center of Türkiye, Ankara is the capital, Antalya represents tourism, and Adana brings gastronomy to mind. However, when we mention Mersin, a distinct word or phrase doesn’t immediately settle into people’s minds. As a native of Mersin, I am working tirelessly to ensure that my homeland becomes more recognized for its positive attributes.
Let’s take a look at what we already have. We possess a unique natural landscape, a stunning sea, and fertile lands. This presents significant potential in both tourism and agriculture. During the pandemic, we’ve seen how a downturn in tourism could impact our country. The way to elevate our country’s position in tourism is to develop another strong city on par with Antalya.
As I always emphasize, agriculture will be one of the most important issues of the future. We should not only think of agriculture as food production. In today’s world, the ability of nations to be self-sufficient is emerging as a fundamental factor shaping foreign policies. Mersin holds immense potential in agriculture.
I don’t know if you’ve ever visited Mersin, but even for its gastronomy alone, it deserves a spot on your travel list. From its main dishes to its desserts, we have an outstanding local cuisine.
As for industry, Mersin stands out with its port and free trade zone. If we take the right steps, it’s clear that more industrial initiatives will want to come to our region. Tourism, agriculture, and industry are not elements that necessarily pull each other down. We don’t need to sacrifice agriculture to expand tourism, and by positioning industrial centers wisely, we can prevent negative impacts on tourism. When done thoughtfully, it is possible to simultaneously develop and enhance all three areas.
When we analyze Mersin, we see that we have a bit of all the essential elements, but the pieces haven’t yet formed a complete whole. This is where the responsibility falls on local leaders who are committed to the city’s identity and are willing to implement long-term plans. Mersin is a city that will offer substantial returns to our country if invested in. As someone from Mersin, I also want to express that I am ready to do everything I can for my homeland.
