AVRUPA TIMES/LONDON-Fethiye: Turkey’s ‘Little Britain'. The U.K. Ambassador to Ankara said four million British tourists would arrive in Türkiye in 2024.The figure is expected to exceed 5 million in 2025, Jill Morris said during a visit to the Mediterranean resort town of Fethiye in Türkiye's southwestern province of Muğla, according to a bulletin provided by the municipality. Last Summer, Morris also visited Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca, adding that many British tourists prefer Muğla for vacation.Expressing satisfaction with Morris' visit, Karaca said: "In domestic and international tourism fairs, photos of our Fethiye appear everywhere.Stating that efforts are underway to extend the tourism season and initiatives are underway to increase the number of direct flights between the U.K. and Dalaman district in Muğla, Karaca noted that Fethiye is represented in London every year by various non-governmental organizations and he would like to visit this year's World Travel Market (WTM) London.
Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca: "The foreign exchange rate must definitely be liberalized so that these complaints can be minimized."
Yesterday, Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca, in his statement to the press following the opening ceremony of the EMITT Fair held at the TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center.
Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca said, "In Fethiye, we can offer holidays of different sizes and with a budget suitable for everyone, but some things are really expensive. The foreign exchange rate must definitely be liberalized so that these complaints can be minimized. Apart from that, there is no problem in our region in terms of sea, sand and sun. As Fethiye, we are already at the top. Our occupancy rates are always around 90-95% for 5-6 months."
Fethiye Stand Attracts Serious Attention at EMITT
Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca: "Despite being the 5th tourism fair in the world, there is a slight decrease in the fair this year compared to previous years. We were together with the Governor of Istanbul, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, other mayors participating in the fair and various stakeholders working in the tourism sector at the fair opening. The Fethiye stand attracts serious attention this year as it does every year. In the previous 5-year period, except for the pandemic, we participated for 4 consecutive years and returned with awards for 4 years. We take our place in such fairs in many places to promote our Fethiye. We were in London again a few months ago. We did some really good work in London. 60-65% of the tourists coming to Fethiye are already British tourists."
"We are also participating in the Berlin Fair next March. We will do some serious work there as well. We will visit the agency owners and important newspapers there. We will visit other tourism agencies. We will do some serious lobbying there, especially with our ambassador."
Foreign Exchange Must Be Freed
Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca said, Fethiye is a touristic district with a rising trend all over the world. It is a natural wonder that attracts people with its people, nature and culture. There has only been one problem, especially in the last two years. There is a serious increase in the inputs of our tradesmen friends due to the fixed exchange rate. But the exchange rate must definitely be freed so that both our region and our country can become attractive for tourists coming from abroad. Because we have become an expensive country. We were in London and they complained about this to us. Turkey has now become a competitor to London. In fact, it is stated that some restaurants in Istanbul are much more expensive than London. We can offer holiday options to everyone in Fethiye with a suitable budget, but as I said, some regions are very expensive. The exchange rate must definitely be freed so that these complaints will decrease. Apart from that, there is no problem with the sea, sand and sun in our region. We are already at the top. Our occupancy rates for 5-6 months are always around 90-95%.
"We are Carrying Out a Project to Increase the Number of Chinese Tourists"
Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca: "We are currently working on winter tourism and cultural tourism. For this, we will go to China in the upcoming period. Our friends from the municipality have been to China twice. We participated in various events there.We are currently in the negotiation phase with one of China's largest television channels. Currently, nearly 80 thousand Chinese tourists come to Fethiye every year. If we can increase this number to 400-500 thousand, we will have increased tourism in Fethiye to 12 months. We are working on this issue not only as Fethiye Municipality but also with all our stakeholders. We will share the details with the public in the coming days."
We Have Started to Have Problems in Competition with Greece
Fethiye completed the previous year with an 8% increase in the number of tourists compared to the previous year. We will see an increase in Fethiye in 2025 as well. But as I said, if the exchange rate is also freed, this increase will be much higher. Because we have started to have problems in competition with some countries, especially neighboring Greece, due to prices. Because the foreign exchange is fixed, input costs have increased a lot. If the foreign exchange is freed, I think that 8% increase in tourists could reach 15%," Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca said.
Fethiye is in the Mugla region, on Turkey's southwestern Turquoise Coast. It's home to the majestic Fethiye Rock Tombs, plenty of boat trips, beautiful beaches, local markets, ancient ruins, parks, beautiful Fethiye villas and so much more.Fethiye is located in the picturesque bay at the foot of the mountains, sheltered by green pine and cedar forests - an unusually beautiful resort with a developed tourist infrastructure located in 60 km from Dalaman airport. Immersed in the green peninsula known for exceptional environmental friendliness, this resort is for those who are seeking privacy and tranquility, love beautiful nature, clean air and beautiful views.Among tourists, the resort has become a popular place in the Mediterranean and known as the Turquoise Coast.
Fethiye, with its majestic mountains, the numerous sandy beaches, islands and numerous hidden from human eyes bays and colorful bustling bazaars is attracting tourists from all over the world.