7 Mehmet: The first restaurant in Turkey to receive a Green Key certification

Located in Antalya, Turkey, the 7 Mehmet restaurant is a popular choice, not only for its menu of contemporary and traditional Mediterranean dishes but also for its commitment to reducing environmental impact.

For 80 years, the 7 Mehmet restaurant has been a mandatory stop for those seeking an authentic experience in Antalya, Turkey. Visitors are welcomed with an extensive menu composed of more than 600 varieties of Mediterranean fare, including several Turkish traditional dishes. Seasonality is highly embraced, meaning guests will find carefully selected ingredients and a menu that adapts and changes according to the season.

The 7 Mehmet’s philosophy towards a more sustainable and locally sourced cuisine also reflects its commitment to being a Green Key certified establishment. In fact, 7 Mehmet is currently the only certified restaurant by Green Key in the entire country. As a result, 7 Mehmet has consistently implemented sustainable practices to reduce its environmental impact. On a social level, the restaurant managed by Mehmet Akdağ has supported its local community by prioritising local products from women's cooperatives to help women entrepreneurs. Moreover, 7 Mehmet has also contributed to improving the kitchen equipment used by the Gastronomy Department of Akdeniz University in Antalya while assisting the school in building larger kitchens to accommodate more students.

© 7 Mehmet

In the restaurant, there have been multiple environmental-friendly improvements, including the use of renewable energies, such as solar energy, and the adoption of many energy and water-saving devices. Waste management is also a priority for 7 Mehmet, not only through recycling but also by avoiding and properly separating food waste. Finally, the restaurant has also replaced the plastic packaging of the towels offered to guests with more sustainable packaging alternatives.

Green Key International congratulates the 7 Mehmet restaurant on its efforts toward a more sustainable hospitality industry.

Visit 7 Mehmet’s website to find out more about its sustainable journey.

Pinepark Holiday Club uses kites to inform children about Green Key

The Green Key awarded hotel, Pinepark Holiday Club in Turkey, organised a kite festival for primary school students to educate them in a playful way about sustainable tourism.

The environmental management team of the Pinepark Holiday Club set up a cooperation with the local primary school to inform the children about sustainable tourism since tourism is heavily blooming in the area. To make it a memorable day for the children they organised a kite festival as a side activity.

First, students were informed about the Green Key label by the manager of the hotel. Afterwards the manager answered all the questions about sustainability, environmental education, etc. Then the children were taken to the beach of the hotel in order to make their own kites which all had the Green Key logo on them. As icing on the cake, they flew the kites all together on the beach.