The famed holiday town of Fethiye in Türkiye’s southwestern Muğla province gears up to enhance its point in the global cruise tourism market with the initiation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for its upcoming cruise port, according to a report on Friday.

With rising interest in tourist ship travel, investments to boost Türkiye’s share in the global cruise tourism market have also gained momentum.

The number of cruise passengers hosted by Türkiye in the first 10 months of the year surpassed 1,393,000, showing a 51% spike compared to the same period last year, according to information obtained by Anadolu Agency (AA).

Tourism is a critical source of income for Türkiye, which, over the years, injected vast investments to ensure its ports can host luxury mega-sized ships as it’s seeking to become a premier destination for cruise enthusiasts and travelers alike.

As the Yenikapı Cruise Port progresses, poised to become Istanbul’s second port after Galataport, the EIA process is underway for the Fethiye Cruise Port Project.

According to the information in the EIA application file, the port planned to be built in Fethiye’s Babataşı neighborhood is set to have a usage area of ​​27,588 square meters (296,954 square feet).

The port will feature a 355-meter-long (1,164.67-foot-long), 50-meter-wide quay allowing ships to dock on both sides and a 136-meter-long and 50-meter-wide rear service area. The quay would be able to accommodate ships of 360 meters in length and 55 meters in width.

Hosting passengers equal to two-thirds of population

The cruise port planned for Fethiye, with a population of approximately 178,000, is expected to serve 120,000 passengers and 100 ships by 2030.

One of the most popular coastal resort cities in Türkiye, Fethiye is famous for its turquoise beaches, such as Ölüdeniz, and its historic ruins. It is also situated in close proximity to Dalaman Airport and is only a 2.5-hour drive from Antalya Airport.

By 2043, with an increase of 10 ships and 10,000 passengers a year, the target is to reach 250,000 passengers and 230 ships docking here.

The total cost of the project is set at TL 925.65 million (around $32 million) and the entire investment and operating costs will be covered by the investing company.

Source: Daily Sabah

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The great historical treasures, like 800,000-year-old underwater fairy chimneys formed by rock erosions from Yiğit Mountain’s volcanic eruption in eastern Van, known as the “Cappadocia of the East,” captivate a large number of tourists, particularly during the summer and fall seasons.

Once hidden in the lake’s depths, the marvel was unveiled last year due to the ongoing drought that negatively affected Türkiye’s Lake Van.

Lake Van has been affected by climate change and has continuously witnessed a decline in water levels, but it remains a popular destination for tourists and is home to a rich ecosystem.

A group of nature enthusiasts from the Van Valley Nature Sports Club, who visited the region, often referred to as “Vanadocia,” did not miss the opportunity to explore the fairy chimneys and capture the unforgettable scenery in photographs.

“Yavuzlar village’s fairy chimneys in Vanadocia offer a magnificent view. We toured these fairy chimneys and explored the castle. We also explored the carved rock rooms within the tunnels,” club head Ömer Demez said.

Demez stressed on the need to preserve the fairy chimneys in this eastern city, which has been a home to many civilizations for centuries, to ensure they are not destroyed and can be passed on to future generations.

Menduh Acar, who participated in the event, noted: “This place is extraordinary. Everyone should come and see it. It should be protected as it is currently being damaged and defaced. It has a high potential for visitors, boasting natural beauty that rivals Ürgüp and Cappadocia.”

The unique formations are especially visible in the village of Incekaya, located on the shore of Van Lake in Tatvan. The formations also come in hundreds of different sizes and can now be viewed nearby. The resultant images offer a beautiful scene, on the one hand, and reveal the scope of water withdrawal on the other.

Source: Daily Sabah

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Bodrum, Türkiye’s popular tourist destination, is grappling with water scarcity due to the closure of two dams caused by a severe drought. The Municipality of Bodrum has initiated water supply through tankers to meet the needs of its residents.

A significant reduction in precipitation, a consequence of the climate crisis and water distribution pipeline damages have led to a drastic decrease in the water levels of Mumcular Dam and Geyik Dam. The Mumcular Dam, with a water level as low as 8%, was closed to water intake two weeks ago.

Similarly, water intake from Geyik Dam, which was at a critical 13% capacity, was also halted last week.

To address this issue, the Bodrum Municipality has added four more vehicles to its fleet for water transportation in addition to the three vehicles already in use. This totals seven vehicles for planned water supply services.

Between August and October, these tankers delivered 2,432 tons of water to 915 households across various neighborhoods in Bodrum.

Baki Ülgen, a senior official from the Muğla Municipality, explained water conservation is essential for Bodrum. He suggested drawing water from the lower levels of dams to partially meet the water demand and recommended reserving water solely for essential consumption.

The drought has highlighted the need for efficient water management and water conservation practices in regions affected by water scarcity.

Source: Daily Sabah

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Türkiye’s Mediterranean gem, visited by more than 10 million tourists a year, has become a hub for foreigners seeking business opportunities and a hot spot for real estate purchases. This trend gained unprecedented momentum after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Antalya is at a level where it trails just behind the metropolis of Istanbul as the second most favored destination for business investments, boasting a total of 6,108 foreign-owned companies.

In real estate, it stands at the forefront, having seen more than 10,370 properties sold to foreign buyers this year alone.

Russian citizens lead the way among nations, reflecting their trend of seeking a financial haven after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 triggered waves of Western sanctions.

More than 1,220 firms are founded by Russians, constituting 20% of all foreign-owned companies in Antalya. Germany, Iran, Azerbaijan and Ukraine follow suit, with 751, 676, 302 and 270 companies, respectively.

The majority, namely 495 companies, operate in the wholesale and retail food marketing sector. Real estate follows with 478 firms, construction with 451 companies, travel agencies, tour operators, and other booking services with 410 companies, and trade of agricultural products with 355 companies.

The trend shows no signs of slowing down.

Some 666 new companies have been founded from January through October this year, out of which Russians accounted for 238. In contrast, they had set up some 222 firms a year ago.

Germans follow with 59 companies, while Iranians, Ukrainians and Azerbaijanis set up 57, 44 and 36 firms, respectively, in the first nine months of this year.

Despite the fall in overhouse sales this year, Russian citizens still top the list among foreign buyers, who bought some 10,372 properties in Antalya from January through September, compared to 14,656 units a year ago.

Source: Daily Sabah

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It offers plenty for tourists, but the legend of Santa Claus may be something of a surprise.

Experts in the country say they have uncovered the tomb of St Nicholas, who is believed to be the inspiration for Santa.

A Christian bishop of Greek origin who was known for giving to the poor, he lived between the years 270 and 343 and the legends are believed to have inspired the Christmas tales we tell today that Santa Claus will bring presents if you’ve been good. St Nicholas’ tomb was found in St Nicholas Church in Demre, in the Antalya district of southern Turkey.

Antalya is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey, known as the Turkish Riviera. One of its top resorts is Alanya, where there are miles of sandy blue flag beaches on both sides of the town. They offer a range of watersports, including jet skiing and windsurfing with plenty of bars and cafes nearby.

We stayed in a small hotel near a less crowded beach, where you can peacefully enjoy a seascape with the Taurus mountains as its backdrop.

But it’s much more than sun, sea and sand. For those who want to split their time between sunbathing and absorbing the region’s culture and history, there are fewer finer places.

That is where the Turkish tourism board helped us with a couple of guided tours, led by travel professional Volkan Asli, a man with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the region.

Before becoming modern-day Turkey, a state founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1923, the Antolyan region was colonised and conquered by many races, from the early Hittites, through to the Greeks, the Romans, Seljuks, Byzantines and the Ottoman Empire.

Their legacies are written large across the Turkish landscape. Alanya Castle, which dates back to the 13th century was built on the ruins of a former Hellenistic fortress by Seljuk Turk leader Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat with the aim of keeping marauding pirates at bay.

Sitting high above the town on a rocky outcrop, its surrounding defensive walls are six kilometres long and outside are ruins of mosques, a caravanserai and a covered bazaar.

Within the walls can be found a ruined cistern and a Byzantine church and the usual medieval artefacts you would expect to see together with modern bazaars and cafes.

Getting up and down can be challenging so it is worth taking the cable car which will take you more than halfway to the top and offers stunning views on the way back down to the city.

Before the cable car, stop off at the Gardenia restaurant and enjoy the panoramic view across the miles-long Cleopatra Beach while enjoying a meal or just a drink.

Named after the ancient Egyptian queen, legend has it that Cleopatra fell in love with this beach after swimming in its azure waters and sunbathing on its golden sands.

Nearby is the equally spectacular Damlataş Cave, a 15,000 year-old ancient wonder underneath the castle that was discovered during the construction of a ferry pier in 1948. It has a startling array of stalactites and stalagmites, some as big as 15 metres, and lit up with a kaleidoscope of colours.

The air composition with a significant increase in carbon dioxide is said to have healing properties, and particularly helpful for those with breathing problems.

The city of Alanya itself is a vibrant, bustling mini-metropolis of chic stores, bars and bazaars. Try the Güverte and Kaleichi Meyhanesi restaurants that overlook the harbour, where pleasure cruisers disguised as ancient galleons are moored alongside the yachts of the super rich.

Perhaps one of the best ways to see the surrounding areas are the various jeep tours, which can range from half a day to a full day and cover most other touristic sites as well as excursions up into the Taurus mountains which overlook the city.

Our trip with local firm Timtur Alanya took us into the mountains to the Dimchay river with its huge imposing dam, which provides water for the irrigation of the area and a hydroelectric power plant. A brilliant way to see inland Turkey, but be prepared with sensible clothing though.

The ancient city of Side is worth the couple of hours drive from Alanya. Founded by Greek settlers around the seventh century BC, it lived for centuries under Greek and then Roman rule.

It features an ancient Greek amphitheatre with the centrepiece the Temple of Apollo and Athena. With its five imposing columns, it’s a monument to a glorious and chequered past.

As well as the walk through ancient history, the site had a bustling array of designer outlets as the road swoops down to a central square at the ancient harbour, dominated by a statue of Ataturk.

A four-hour flight from Birmingham, for those worried about security issues, don’t be, as airport measures are strict with visitors having to go through an initial security check before even getting into the airport proper. Then they go through the usual check-in process.

Like many countries, its tourism has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, and then Turkey suffered the devastating blow of the giant earthquakes in the east of the country, leaving tens of thousands dead. But it is a country with so much to offer and an influx of tourists will have a major beneficial effect on its economy after such disasters.

Source: Shropshire Star

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