Karpaz Gate Marina Awarded Prestigious Platinum Status

Earning its place among the world’s best marinas, Karpaz Gate Marina has been awarded 5 Gold Anchor Platinum accreditation by The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA). The prestigious accolade is the highest distinction attributed under the renowned global Gold Anchor Scheme marina rating system.

The North Cyprus marina resort on the island’s beautiful Karpaz peninsula becomes only the eighth marina to receive the Platinum honour from TYHA following a rigorous assessment process. There are currently 12 other Platinum marinas worldwide, including those reviewed by the Marina Industries Association (MIA).

Reserved for the most comprehensively appointed luxury marinas, the elite status gives trusted assurance to the most discerning clients that Karpaz Gate Marina provides an outstanding array of facilities and consistently delivers exceptional customer services.

TYHA also named Karpaz Gate Marina as the 22^nd marina to be accredited under its new Clean Marina scheme, proving continual commitment to sustainability and the protection of the ocean environment.

Liza Singer, Managing Director of Karpaz Gate Marina, said: “We are proud to achieve Platinum and Clean Marina status and to join an elite group of trusted high-level marinas around the world. This is a significant landmark for Karpaz Gate Marina and I would like to pay tribute to the dedication of our team and the years of hard work which have been required to meet the high standards.

“Since opening, we have strived to uphold superior standards of facilities and services, to offer great attention to detail, impeccable cleanliness, personalised concierge services, imaginative design, sustainable operations, and a continued commitment to improve – all to ensure our berth holders enjoy a unique and exceptional experience here at Karpaz Gate Marina. Recognition from TYHA’s trusted global assurance system is hugely rewarding and, importantly, it is an accolade trusted by international boat owners for peace of mind when they select their marina.”

The marina industry’s highest award represents the latest success achieved during a remarkable 12 years for Karpaz Gate Marina, the first international standard marina in North Cyprus and a pioneering resort development in one of the lesser-known regions of the East Mediterranean.

Opening up the TRNC cruising area to international sailors since 2011, the full-service 300-berth marina soon established a reputation for outstanding leisure and berthing facilities, personalised service and full technical capabilities, winning 5-star reviews from berth holders. Meticulous expansion in recent years has created the full marina resort available today, complete with boutique hotel, hamam and spa, and a range of other amenities for boat owners.

Tony Dye, CMM Gold Anchor Assessor, commented: “The team at Karpaz Gate has worked towards gaining the prestigious Platinum award for the past 5 years. Liza Singer, MD, has been the driving force behind the award. She has been instrumental in taking guidance on what facilities could have been improved and added, in addition to increasing customer service levels. The addition of the luxury Boutique style with extensive spa and treatment facilities gives a new dimension to what Karpaz can offer to the most discerning customer.”

Established more than 25 years ago, the Gold Anchor Scheme is a formal quality assurance system operated by two leading professional bodies in the global marina sector – TYHA, based in the UK, and the MIA, located in Australia. To fly a Gold Anchor flag, a marina completes a self-assessment process across six areas of focus: ambience; planning, policies and procedures; customer service; environmental; on-water facilities and infrastructure; onshore facilities and infrastructure. To gain Platinum status, a marina must score 95% after the assessment process that includes direct feedback from a sample of berth holders and mystery shopping checks.

There are currently 12 other Platinum marinas worldwide under the joint TYHA/MIA scheme: Limassol Marina, Porto Montenegro, Yas Marina, IGY – Yacht Haven Grande St Thomas, Flisvos Marina, Yalikavak Marina, Marina de Vilamoura, Coral Sea Marina Resort, Birkenhead Point Marina, Sanya Serenity Marina, ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore, and Sanctuary Cove Marina.

Given the high standards required of 5 Gold Anchor Platinum Marinas, TYHA now require all marinas with this accreditation to conform to the TYHA Clean Marina standard. Marinas must prove best practice for the basics such as blackwater capture and treatment, correctly managing segregated and hazardous waste, spill prevention and treatment, washdown capture and filtration, drain interception, using sustainable products and preventing plastic pollution, and influencing tenants, contractors and boaters to be more sustainable.

Karpaz Gate Marina has always placed sustainability and respect for the natural beauty of the unspoilt area at the heart of operations. It has an on-site nursery, vegetable and herb garden and green house providing fresh produce straight to the plate. To encourage green energy, an on-site solar plant supplies over half of the total electricity usage, while ecological and recycling initiatives include minimal usage of non-recycled materials like plastics. Creating an aquarium in the marina basin, a no fishing rule is in place to protect the wildlife and preserve the crystal-clear water.