Setur Marinas Antalya was granted the "International Marina of the Year" award by The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA). On the occasion of this significant achievement, Ziya Baykal, the Marina Manager of Setur Marinas Antalya answered our questions.
Why is the Yacht Harbour Association's (TYHA) award important?
The Yacht Harbour Association, or TYHA for short, which is based in the United Kingdom, is one of the most respected institutions in the world of marina business. This institution has been an authority setting and developing standards for marina management worldwide since the 1980s. Members of TYHA include hundreds of marinas, marina operators, industry professionals, and suppliers from over 30 countries. Members share common values in areas such as sustainability, customer satisfaction, safety, and environmental awareness in the marina business. In other words, just being a member of TYHA is a sign of quality in itself.
It is a source of great pride for us to be selected as the International Marina of the Year.
This award recognizes both the success of Antalya Marina and the importance of Türkiye in the global marina industry. We are extremely proud to wave our group's flag on the international stage in the name of promoting all our marinas.
In order for a marina to be eligible for this award, it must first hold the "Gold Anchor" accreditation. Could you also mention the Gold Anchor in this connection?
"Gold Anchor" is an international accreditation program conducted by the TYHA. This program is actually a system that evaluates marinas based on criteria such as service quality, safety, environmental responsibility, infrastructure, staff training, and customer experience. The evaluation process is quite meticulous! Both professional auditors and marina users provide feedback. Finally, a rating from 3 to 5 "Gold Anchor" is given. The highest level, "5 Gold Anchor", indicates that a marina has the best practices worldwide.
As Setur Antalya Marina, we have held the 5 Gold Anchor accreditation for many years. This accreditation demonstrates not only our service quality but also our culture of continuous improvement. To be eligible for "International Marina of the Year" award of TYHA, the prerequisite is to hold this Gold Anchor status. Therefore, the award results from a combination of being at the highest level in the Gold Anchor system and user satisfaction.
What benefits will the award bring to our customers?
The most important benefit this award will bring to our customers is a guarantee of trust and quality. Because the "International Marina of the Year" award granted by TYHA recognizes a marina's service quality, infrastructure, environmental awareness, and customer satisfaction at an international level. This also provides our guests with the following advantages:
• Safe harbor selection: Our customers enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that they are in a marina that has been inspected and awarded by a globally recognized institution.
• High-level service: This award signifies a commitment to continuity and professionalism in service quality.
• International prestige: Yacht owners arriving from abroad tend to choose this location when they see the "TYHA Awarded Marina" sign.
• Investment and resale value: High-standard infrastructure and a secure environment indirectly ensure that the value of boats moored or under maintenance here is preserved.
• Experience comfort: Thanks to modern infrastructure, eco-friendly practices, and trained staff, our guests enjoy a comfortable, safe, and sustainable marina experience.
In short, this award means "not just a marina, but a world-class lifestyle and maritime experience" for our customers.
What is the position of Turkish marina business in the international arena? What opportunities could Antalya Marina's "International Marina of the Year" award bring us?
The Turkish marina industry is gaining an increasingly strong position in the international arena. For example, our country has already risen to become the world's second largest producer of mega yachts. In this context, receiving the "International Marina of the Year" award brings the following opportunities:
• It adds international brand value to Türkiye and the region where the marina is located.
• It creates new partnership opportunities in terms of training, cooperation, and investment. For example, opportunities to connect with international yacht charter companies, maintenance/service networks, or marina chains increase.
• It provides a competitive advantage for regional maritime tourism. An award winning marina raises the profile of the region and positively impacts the entire marina infrastructure of the destination.
• In the long term, the mooring of vessels, maintenance services, and the development of ancillary production and support industries create economic added value at both the local and national levels.
In short, this award can be seen as a tool that strengthens the position of Türkiye and the Setur Marinas brand in international competition.
Among all these awards, achievements, and challenges, what keeps you personally engaged in this work with passion every day?
What keeps me passionately committed to this work every morning is the sea itself. Every morning when I step into the marina, the same excitement stirs within me when I see the gentle tune rising from the masts of the boats, smell the scent of the sea, and see the sun shining on the water. The sea shows you its different face every day... sometimes calm, sometimes fierce, but always free! Within that freedom, one finds the meaning of their work anew. That's why, for me, managing a marina isn't just about running a business; it's about preserving a way of life, that unique bond with the sea. It's because this work gives you the opportunity to touch people's dreams. The biggest motivation for me is seeing their happiness and feeling that everything is on the right track.
İlayda Özkül, Setur Marinas Antalya Front Office Representative