Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
NEWS
Turkey to abolish visas for UK citizens from 2 March
Turkey, one of the most popular countries for British holidaymakers will abolish its current visa rules for UK tourists from next month.
At present, British travellers must apply online for a permit to travel, which costs US$35 (£27).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara announced: “As of 2 March 2020, Turkey has decided to exempt visa requirements for the members of the European Union Schengen area, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland as well as the United Kingdom citizens for touristic travels to Turkey for every 90 days within 180 day period.
“This step aims at increasing our tourism potential with these countries as well as further developing our trade, economic and cultural relations.”
Here’s the updated Turkey Travel Advice from GOV.UK.
From 2 March 2020, British nationals travelling for tourism or business purposes will no longer need a visa to enter Turkey for visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
If you’re travelling before 2 March you will still need a visa, except for some cruise ship passengers arriving at sea ports for visits of up to 72 hours. It is recommended that you get an e-Visa online through the official Republic of Turkey e-Visa website. An e-Visa costs $35 (plus $1.05 service fee) and you can pay by credit or debit card. If you use this option, you should apply at least 48 hours before travel and can do so up to 3 months in advance. In case of technical problems at the Turkish port of entry, carry a printed copy of your e-Visa or keep an electronic copy on a smartphone or other device to show at immigration.
Be wary of using unauthorised websites, as these may charge additional fees for supplying information and submitting applications. Some unauthorised websites have also issued fake e-Visas.
If you have any queries regarding e-Visas call the Visa Contact Centre (details provided by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Source: GOV.UK
Work on Skywalk entrance starts on road to Ölüdeniz
Work has started on the entrance to the starting point for the Skywalk cable car system, that will take visitors to the top of the world famous Babadağ mountain in just 7 minutes.
The cable car was originally planned to start from Ovacık, however the start point is currently being opened up from the viewing point located halfway down the Ölüdeniz road. From there it will make its way to the 1700m main paragliding launch pad.
In a statment last year, Fethiye Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FTSO) President Osman Çıralı said “Work on the Skywalk cable car project continues and we plan to open it in July 2020″.
We will bring you updates as we receive them.
Electricity for 130 thousand households produced from waste
The biomass energy facility in the Menteşe district of Muğla Metropolitan has produced 32 million 217 thousand kilowatts of electricity for approximately 130 thousand households.
As of November 2018, Menteşe Solid Waste Regular Storage Facility, which was commissioned at different times, supplied Marmaris with 12 million 104 thousand kilowatts, Fethiye with 12 million 384 thousand kilowatts, Ortaca with 1 million 684 thousand kilowatts and Milas with 207 thousand 720 kilowatts. In addition, 16 million 088 thousand 812 cubic meters of methane gas generated in Solid Waste Landfill Facilities was used in electricity production, preventing its release into the atmosphere.
Mayor of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Osman Gürün said, “We will continue to invest from infrastructure to superstructure to protect the unique beauty of Muğla, and they produce electricity from Muğla’s garbage with biomass facilities, which are environmentally friendly investments.”
Source: SonDakika
Aircraft to be sunk in Fethiye Bay to improve diving tourism
İMAKAK Chamber of Commerce President Şaban Arıkan announced in a statement on Friday plans to sink a plane to create an artificial reef with the aim of attracting more diving tourists to the region.
The plane will be sunk near Kızılada (Red Island) and will create the second artificial reef in the area after the 40.2 meter long ‘TCSG 121’ Coast Guard Boat was sunk in the Dalyan Creek in 2012 to improve diving tourism.
Artificial reefs are man-made structures that provide a home for algae, barnacles, corals, and other marine life, giving divers something to explore and photograph.
Arıkan stated that the second reef will encourage more scuba divers to the area and open up the area as a diving tourism destination.
Source: Gerçek Fethiye
Turkish Airlines adds new tourism-focused International flights
Turkey’s national flag carrier says it will continue to contribute in promoting country’s tourism sector in 2020 by increasing the weekly frequency of direct flights from international destinations to the country’s tourism centers by 18% in 2020.
Every week, Turkish Airlines will be operating 98 flights from 26 international destinations to Turkey’s favorite tourism spots such as Antalya, Izmir, Dalaman and Bodrum in summer 2020, the airline said in a statement on Saturday.
“We are committed to continue and increase our contributions to our country’s tourism sector and its economy,” Ilker Ayci, chairman Turkish Airlines was quoted as saying.
“Tourists who wish to discover the beautiful cities of Turkey will be able to travel with the Turkish Airlines’ comfort and hospitality on direct flights from a range of destinations,” he said in the statement.
Turkish Airlines will be operating 74 weekly flights from 20 destinations to Antalya, direct flights from four destinations to Dalaman and four weekly flights to Milas-Bodrum Airport from London, Kuwait and Munich each. For Izmir, five weekly flights are planned in total from Berlin, Munich, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Kuwait.
Source: Daily Sabah
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor updates
Fethiyespor
Fethiyespor drew their home match against Cizrespor on Wednesday. The final score was 1-1.
Fethiyespor lost their away match against Turgutluspor yesterday. The final score was 0-1.
Fethiyespor drop to sixth place on the league table.
Fethiyespor Manager resigns
Fethiyespor Manager, Mustafa Ceviz resigned after the match against Cizrespor on Wednesday. Ceviz made the decision to resign after discussions with the Board of Directors.
To date, a replacement has not been appointed.
The next league matches are:
Sunday 1st March at home against Belediye Derincespor. Kick off is at the later time of 14.30.
Sunday 8th March away against Ofspor. Kick off is at 14:00.
For more information about Fethiyespor please visit Fethiyespor Yabancilar on Facebook
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor Basketbol
Thank you to Pauline Yılmaz for the Lokman Hekim Fethiyespor Basketbol update.
Fethiye’s Basketball Team played a home game this weekend with continued fantastic support and a great atmosphere at Beskaza Stadium. A win for Fethiye with the final score Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor 86 – 78 Bursa Final Genclik.
Details of the next matches are: Saturday 29th February – an away game against Manisa Buyuksehir Belediye. There will be organised transport arranged for fans wishing to travel to the match – details will be posted on the Team’s Facebook Page later this week.
Saturday 7th March – a home game at Beskaza Sports Stadium against Samsunspor. The match starts at 17:00 Everyone is welcome to come along and support our local Team
All matches are broadcast live on Youtube/TBFTV The Team can be followed on their Facebook Page
You can follow the Team on their Facebook Page – Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor Basketbol
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 7.90 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 7.89 TL.
The US Dollar bought 6.09 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 6.05 TL.
The Euro bought 6.61 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 6.55 TL.
Source: FxexchangeRate.com
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
Today’s featured image of a winter sunset over Fethiye bay was taken by Lyn Ward.
Follow Fethiye Times on social media for regular updates.
The post Fethiye Times News – Week Ending 23 February 2020 appeared first on Fethiye Times.