A sister - city agreement was signed to establish economic, cultural and political exchanges during a ceremony in Monterey held on Thursday, August 23, 2012. Then Mayor Chuck Della Sala and Kuşadası City Councilmember Murat Sarac formalized the ties between Monterey and Kuşadası that were first established in 2006. Monterey and Kuşadası share common interests, such as the development of sustainable tourism and cultural history. Kuşadası is a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean Coast with a local economy built on tourism. Kuşadası is home to more than 64,000 people year-round and accommodates over half a million people during the summer tourist season. Kuşadası is located on a scenic crescent-shaped waterfront with beaches and a modern port for cruise ships. Turkey has existing ties with Monterey institutions, including the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey Institute of International Studies, and the Defense Language Institute.

Kuşadası Sister City Tour & Reception, Aug 2017